IndiGo Flight Crisis: DGCA Summons Officials After Airport Chaos; Emergency Meeting Called

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): A major disruption has hit IndiGo, the country’s largest airline, with widespread flight cancellations and long delays creating chaos at airports across India. As passenger complaints surged, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken serious note of the situation and summoned senior IndiGo officials for an emergency meeting.

Over 100 Flights Cancelled in a Single Day

Wednesday turned into a nightmare for air travellers. Reports show that more than 100 IndiGo flights were cancelled in just one day, while many others were delayed by several hours. Sources said Bengaluru Airport was the worst affected, with 42 cancellations. Delhi saw 38 flights cancelled, Mumbai 33, and Hyderabad 19. IndiGo operates around 2,300 domestic and international flights every day.

DGCA Seeks Explanation; Pilots Raise Concerns

The DGCA, which functions under the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), has sought a detailed explanation from IndiGo on the cause of the crisis and the airline’s plan to stabilise operations.

Meanwhile, the pilot association ALPA India has also written to the DGCA. They argued that before approving slots and flight schedules, authorities must ensure airlines have enough pilots. The association also highlighted the newly implemented Fatigue Risk Management System (FRMS), emphasising that pilot fatigue and safety must be taken seriously.

IndiGo Explains the Disruption

In its official statement, IndiGo said that “multiple sudden operational challenges” over the past two days have severely impacted its network. The airline cited technical issues, adjustments due to the winter schedule, bad weather, and increased air traffic congestion as reasons for the disruption. The carrier also pointed to the new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules as an additional factor contributing to the operational mess.