IndiGo's exemption period ends, stricter rules apply for pilots

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The 68-day temporary relief granted to the country's largest airline, IndiGo, in complying with Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules ended on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) granted this exemption following an operational crisis in December 2025 to allow the airline to adapt its pilot roster and flight systems to new safety standards. Now, from Wednesday, February 11, 2026, IndiGo will have to fully comply with the revised rules without any additional exemptions.

DGCA kept a close watch

During this 68-day period of relief, the DGCA kept a strict watch on IndiGo's operations. The airline was required to submit hourly flight reports, as well as weekly and fortnightly performance reports. Furthermore, the regulator deployed special officers at airports and monitored IndiGo's operations in real-time from its operations control center. The DGCA had already made it clear that this relief was only for a limited time and would not be extended at the cost of compromising safety standards.

The airline said – we are fully prepared

IndiGo has assured the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) that it is fully prepared to implement the new FDTL regulations effective February 11. According to the airline, it has made all necessary changes to its roster plan and crew scheduling. To avoid any future disruptions, IndiGo has increased its pilot-to-aircraft ratio (the number of pilots per aircraft) and created a strong reserve pilot pool. The company claims that it now has a sufficient "pilot buffer" available, which will ensure smooth operations.

The December 2025 crisis and heavy fines

It's worth noting that in December 2025, IndiGo faced a major operational crisis, resulting in the cancellation of over 5,500 flights. This disruption caused inconvenience to millions of passengers, prompting the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to impose a record fine of ₹222 million on the airline. A 68-day grace period was granted to address this crisis and adapt to new regulations. IndiGo will now be required to implement stricter regulations regarding pilots' weekly rest, night flight limits, and fatigue management. Government officials believe that with the new arrangements, passengers will no longer face the same difficulties as before.