IndiGo Crisis Sparks Nationwide Travel Chaos; DGCA Issues Show-Cause Notice

Passengers across India faced severe disruption as IndiGo Airlines flights experienced massive delays and cancellations. The crisis led to soaring ticket prices on other carriers, prompting the Civil Aviation Ministry to impose a temporary cap on domestic fares, ranging from ₹7,500 to ₹18,000, based on route distance.

DGCA Holds IndiGo Responsible

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has held IndiGo accountable for the operational chaos. A show-cause notice has been issued to CIO Peter Albers, asking the airline to explain within 24 hours why action should not be taken against them for violating pilot fatigue management rules.

According to DGCA, the airline’s roster showed “widespread operational disruptions”, causing significant inconvenience to passengers. The regulatory body noted that these disruptions indicate serious lapses in planning, monitoring, and resource management. IndiGo failed to comply with Aircraft Rules 1937 (Section 42A) and civil aviation requirements related to pilot fatigue management.

Expert Analysis from Retired Navy Officer

A video by retired Navy officer and pilot N. Kumar has gone viral, providing a simple explanation of the crisis. He highlighted that the Aviation Industry operates under strict Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules, which govern pilot working hours, rest periods, and night landings.

Key Rule Changes

• Previously, pilots required 1.5 days rest; now it’s 2 full days.
• Pilots are restricted to 2 night landings, after which a mandatory rest day is required.
• The new rules were notified 18 months ago, giving airlines ample time to hire additional crew.

IndiGo’s Delay in Compliance

Despite advance notice and sufficient time to recruit additional pilots, IndiGo failed to implement the new rules. As of 1 November 2025, the regulations came into effect, but the airline still lacked adequate pilot and crew strength, making operational disruption inevitable.

Passengers are continuing to face inconvenience at airports nationwide as authorities closely monitor the situation. The DGCA has urged IndiGo to respond promptly and take immediate corrective measures to restore normal flight operations.