pilot shortage
Air India Launches Strategic Pilot Recruitment Drive Amid IndiGo's Operational Crisis
Dec 08, 2025 06:55 pm CST
Air India has launched a major recruitment drive for Airbus A320 and Boeing B737 pilots, strategically timed during competitor IndiGo's operational crisis. While IndiGo struggles with flight cancellations and delays due to pilot shortages following new DGCA flight duty time regulations, Air India's "sky is not the limit" campaign seeks to strengthen its position in India's competitive aviation market. This development has caused IndiGo's parent company shares to drop 6.9%, highlighting the significant impact of staffing challenges in the aviation sector.
Tech Couple Forced to Attend Their Own Wedding Reception Virtually Due to IndiGo Flight Cancellations
Dec 05, 2025 08:25 pm CST
A newlywed tech couple from Bengaluru had to attend their own wedding reception virtually when widespread IndiGo flight cancellations left them stranded in Bhubaneswar. The couple's unique solution highlights the broader impact of IndiGo's operational crisis, which has resulted in hundreds of cancelled flights across India due to pilot shortage and FDTL regulation implementation issues.
DGCA Revises Flight Duty Rules to Address IndiGo's Massive Flight Cancellation Crisis
Dec 05, 2025 04:57 pm CST
India's aviation regulator DGCA has withdrawn critical portions of the Flight Duty Time Limitations rules to resolve IndiGo's operational crisis, which has led to nearly 1,300 flight cancellations. The airline, which operates over 2,200 daily flights, admitted to miscalculating pilot requirements under new regulations mandating increased rest periods. The regulatory adjustments aim to stabilize operations during India's peak travel season while IndiGo works to progressively improve its schedule from December 6 onward.
Massive Disruption: IndiGo Cancels Over 1,300 Flights Due to Pilot Shortage and New FDTL Regulations
Dec 05, 2025 03:50 pm CST
India's largest airline IndiGo has cancelled nearly 1,300 flights in four days due to pilot shortages under new Flight Duty Time Limitation rules. All Delhi departures were cancelled until midnight, while Chennai flights to major cities were suspended until 6 PM. CEO Pieter Elbers apologized to passengers as the airline requests regulatory exemptions until February 2026 to stabilize operations.
IndiGo Faces Severe Criticism from Pilots' Federation Over Staffing Strategy Amid Flight Cancellations
Dec 04, 2025 03:29 pm CST
The Federation of Indian Pilots has strongly criticized IndiGo's operational strategy following widespread flight disruptions. Despite having two years to prepare for new flight duty regulations, the airline allegedly maintained a hiring freeze, resulting in over 150 flight cancellations on December 3. While other carriers adapted successfully to the new norms, IndiGo's expansion without sufficient pilot recruitment has raised serious concerns about operational responsibility during the challenging winter fog season.
India's Aviation Boom Fuels Openings For New Airline Players
Sep 24, 2025 11:45 pm CST
India will require more government oversight as the country's airlines take delivery of thousands of planes and its fast-growing market is creating openings for new players, the government's aviation safety chief told Reuters.