By: The Trek News Desk
India’s largest airline, IndiGo, is grappling with severe operational disruptions for the second consecutive day. Passengers at Bengaluru Airport faced long queues, sudden schedule changes, major delays and widespread cancellations, throwing travel plans into disarray.
Mass Cancellations Hit Bengaluru Airport
A spokesperson for Bengaluru Airport confirmed that 73 IndiGo flights were cancelled on December 4.
A Day earlier, over 100 flights were scrapped, with several others delayed significantly, leaving thousands of passengers stranded.
Civil aviation regulator DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) has taken note of the escalating situation. The authority has sought a detailed explanation from IndiGo along with a time-bound recovery plan to stabilise operations.
IndiGo’s Statement: “Network Severely Disrupted”
In an official statement, IndiGo acknowledged that its operations had been “significantly impacted” over the past two days. The airline said:
- Controlled schedule adjustments have been implemented to restore stability
- These steps will continue for the next 48 hours
- The primary goal is to gradually bring back punctuality and normal operations across the network
The airline added that teams are working around the clock to support affected passengers by arranging alternative flights or refunds as services are slowly restored.
Pilots’ Union Alleges Hiring Freeze
The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has levelled serious allegations against IndiGo, stating that:
- The airline had two years of preparation time before the new FDTL (Flight Duty Time Limitations) norms were fully enforced
- Despite this, IndiGo imposed an unexpected hiring freeze
- This decision worsened today’s staffing shortage and operational strain
FIP has urged DGCA not to approve seasonal schedules of any airline unless they have adequate crew to operate safely under the updated FDTL rules.
Letter to DGCA: Should IndiGo’s Slots Be Reassigned?
In a letter sent late Wednesday, FIP asked DGCA to consider reallocating IndiGo’s airport slots to other airlines that can operate them without disruption, especially in the busy holiday and fog season.
On December 3 alone, IndiGo cancelled more than 150 flights, while several others were delayed by hours. Industry sources link the disruptions partly to crew shortages triggered by the new duty-time regulations.
What Happens Next?
While IndiGo has not released exact cancellation figures yet, the message is clear:
- The next 48 hours will be critical for India’s largest carrier
- DGCA’s findings and IndiGo’s recovery blueprint will determine how quickly operations can return to normal
For now, passengers continue to face long waits, uncertainty and heavy congestion at major airports.
Source: News Agencies
