IndiGo faced its largest-ever single-day disruption as more than 550 flights were cancelled across the country, triggering widespread chaos at major airports. This is the highest number of cancellations recorded by the airline in its 20-year history, and the third consecutive day of severe operational disturbance.
According to officials, the cancellations stemmed from a shortage of flight crew following the implementation of revised duty and rest regulations for pilots. The airline reportedly underestimated its crew requirements under the new norms, leading to a cascading effect on scheduling.
Passengers at airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata and other cities experienced long queues, overcrowded terminals and extended delays. IndiGo’s usually strong on-time performance was significantly affected.
The airline issued a public apology and informed the Directorate General of Civil Aviation that it is working to stabilise operations. IndiGo has projected that normal schedules may resume by February 10, 2026. Civil aviation authorities have also held meetings with the airline to review the situation and discuss corrective measures.
The disruption highlights ongoing challenges faced by airlines as they balance rising passenger demand with stricter pilot fatigue-management rules.