IndiGo Crisis Continues: Domestic Flights from Delhi Grounded on Day Four
India’s major carrier, IndiGo, recently suspended all domestic flights from Delhi Airport (DEL) on the fourth day amidst an ongoing crisis that has resulted in significant cancellations.
On December 5, 2025, IndiGo extended its apologies to passengers affected or left stranded due to severe crew shortages over the past few days.
In a public statement, IndiGo expressed, “We sincerely apologize and recognize the challenges many of you have faced lately. While a quick resolution isn’t possible, we pledge to do everything we can to assist you in the interim and restore our normal operations as soon as possible.”
The airline highlighted that it is experiencing a “serious operational crisis” and is currently reworking its systems and schedules to facilitate “progressive improvement starting tomorrow.”
IndiGo acknowledged that December 5, 2025, would see the highest number of cancellations but is optimistic about streamlining operations and relieving congestion at airports shortly.
According to the Hindustan Times, over 1,000 flights have been cancelled in the past four days, impacting key cities like Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.
Central to these challenges are new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) regulations recently implemented by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). These regulations mandate a 48-hour weekly rest for pilots and cut down the allowable number of night landings from six to two.
The BBC reported that the DGCA indicated the disruptions primarily stemmed from “misjudgments and planning gaps” during the rollout of these new rules. The phased implementation wrapped up on November 1, 2025, with expectations set for operations to return to full capacity by February 10, 2026.
With delays and cancellations mounting, some passengers have expressed their frustrations, leading to confrontations with IndiGo staff. Footage shared online seems to show individuals contesting with airline representatives.
One video allegedly displays a person pouring water over an official, though its authenticity remains unverified. Another clip indicates passengers shouting at staff members at an airport counter.
SpiceJet and other airlines have stepped in by scheduling additional flights today and tomorrow to accommodate those affected by the disruptions at IndiGo.
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