DGCA Investigates IndiGo's Mass Flight Cancellations and Delays Due to Crew Shortage Crisis

IndiGo has announced calibrated schedule adjustments for the next 48 hours to normalize operations amid significant disruptions.

New Delhi:

Aviation regulator DGCA announced on Wednesday that it is investigating IndiGo flight disruptions and has requested the airline to submit reasons for the current situation along with plans to reduce flight cancellations and delays.

IndiGo, India's largest airline, canceled over 100 flights at various airports on Wednesday with numerous services delayed as it struggled with substantial operational disruptions primarily due to crew shortage. The airline announced calibrated schedule adjustments for the next 48 hours to normalize operations.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) stated it is currently investigating the situation and evaluating measures alongside the airline to reduce cancellations and delays, aiming to minimize passenger inconvenience.

"IndiGo has been asked to report to DGCA, Headquarters, to present the facts leading to the current situation along with plans to mitigate the ongoing delays & cancellations," the statement said.

According to recent operational performance information provided by IndiGo, DGCA reported that 1,232 flights were cancelled in November, including 755 flights due to crew and Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) constraints.

Additionally, 258 flights were cancelled due to "airport/airspace restrictions," 92 flights were cancelled due to Air Traffic Control (ATC) system failure, and 127 flights were cancelled for other reasons.

"A large share of cancellations arose from crew / FDTL compliance and airport/airspace / ATC-related factors, many of which lie beyond the operator's direct control," DGCA noted, mentioning that IndiGo's overall On Time Performance (OTP) in November was 67.7 percent compared to 84.1 percent in October.

The delays were attributed to various factors: 16 percent due to ATC, 6 percent caused by "operations-crew," 3 percent due to airport facility issues, and 8 percent resulting from other factors.

The regulator indicated it had provided further clarification to IndiGo for streamlining implementation of the revised FDTL norms.

Proposed corrective measures included strengthening crew planning and rostering while adhering to FDTL norms, enhancing coordination with ATC and airports to manage capacity constraints, and improving turnaround and disruption-management processes.

While the first phase of these FDTL norms came into force from July, the second phase, which restricted night landings to two from six earlier, was implemented from November 1.

The norms were originally scheduled to be implemented from March 2024, but airlines, including IndiGo, requested a step-by-step implementation, citing additional crew requirements.