Centre orders high-level probe after IndiGo flight chaos; pilot-duty norms temporarily suspended

The Government of India has launched a high-level inquiry into the widespread disruptions at IndiGo that left thousands of passengers stranded and triggered chaos across airports nationwide. Alongside the probe, key provisions of the revised pilot duty rules have been temporarily suspended.

In recent days, IndiGo cancelled hundreds of flights across major hubs — including Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Mumbai — causing severe delays, overcrowded terminals and steep increases in airfares. The airline acknowledged that a shortage of pilots, combined with the enforcement of stricter rest-time and duty regulations for crew, disrupted scheduling and staffing. Reports suggest the carrier lacked sufficient backup staff and failed to reorganise rosters in line with the new rules, which came into effect just before a busy travel period.

In response, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has constituted an inquiry committee to examine the causes, including manpower planning, roster mismanagement, and compliance with regulatory norms. The aviation regulator has granted IndiGo a one-time exemption from its night-duty and rest-substitution limitations for the airline’s A320 fleet until early 2026, to help restore operations.

To assist affected passengers, IndiGo has committed to providing automatic refunds, re-accommodation or hotel stays for those stranded, and special support for senior citizens and differently-abled travellers.

The temporary suspension of duty-time restrictions indicates regulators’ willingness to ease safety norms during exceptional crises to resume disrupted services — a move sparking debate over whether airlines had adequate buffer capacity before stricter roster regulations were imposed. The inquiry is expected to reveal whether the disruption was a result of avoidable mismanagement or systemic strain, and to recommend structural changes to prevent future occurrences.