IndiGo Crisis Deepens as 900 Flights Hit by Crew Shortage and FDTL Rollout; Here’s How to Check Flight Status

IndiGo, India’s largest airline by market share and fleet size, is in the middle of an unprecedented operational crisis. Over the last four days, the carrier has cancelled more than 550 flights and disrupted nearly 900 overall, creating nationwide chaos at airports from Delhi and Bengaluru to Mumbai, Hyderabad and Kolkata. 

The meltdown—sparked by a severe crew shortage, miscalculations in planning and the troubled rollout of Phase 2 of the Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) rules—has triggered DGCA scrutiny, ministerial intervention and widespread frustration among passengers who found themselves stranded without proper communication or alternatives. 

With the situation intensifying each day, IndiGo says normal operations are unlikely to return before February 10.

Key Takeaways on IndiGo’s National-Level Flight Disruption Crisis

• Nearly 900 IndiGo flights have been disrupted over four days, with 550 cancellations on Thursday alone.
  
• Crew shortage linked to the airline’s misjudgment of manpower needs under FDTL Phase 2 is the central cause.
  
• DGCA flagged planning gaps and miscalculations, demanding a detailed recovery roadmap.
  
• Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu ordered IndiGo to stabilise operations urgently and prevent fare hikes.
  
• Delhi Airport saw 150 IndiGo cancellations in a single day, adding severe pressure on terminals.
  
• IndiGo issued multiple heartfelt apologies, admitting planning failures and operational lapses.
  
• Passengers faced long queues, unclear communication, social media complaints and rising airfares.
  
• IndiGo expects stable operations to fully resume by February 10, 2026.
  

A Crisis Years in the Making: How IndiGo’s Meltdown Spread Nationwide

The disruptions began earlier this week with what appeared to be a routine set of cancellations. But by Wednesday evening, the network started collapsing under the pressure of unexpectedly high crew unavailability, compounded by new FDTL rules that prescribe stricter rest periods for pilots and cabin crew. The shift to Phase 2 required more staff planning than IndiGo had anticipated, with DGCA later confirming that IndiGo’s assessment of its crew requirement was far lower than the actual need.

As the crisis deepened, nationwide operations suffered. On Thursday morning alone, multiple Delhi–Pune flights—6E 2343, 6E 2471 and 6E 6692—were listed as cancelled on IndiGo’s website. At Thiruvananthapuram, two flights were cancelled and four delayed, while Hyderabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Kolkata saw significant disruptions.

Airport-Wise Impact: Numbers That Reveal the Scale of the Breakdown

A breakdown across major airports showed how widespread the problem became:

By the end of four days, nearly 900 flights were either cancelled or severely delayed, leaving thousands of passengers scrambling for solutions.

DGCA Intervenes: IndiGo’s Planning Gaps Under the Scanner

Following urgent briefings with IndiGo officials, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) stated that the disruptions stemmed primarily from “miscalculations and planning shortcomings” during the FDTL Phase 2 rollout. The regulator noted that IndiGo failed to accurately estimate its real crew requirement despite having a considerable transition period.

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DGCA demanded a detailed roadmap, asked the airline to scale back operations starting December 8, and emphasised that corrective actions must prioritise passenger convenience. The watchdog also launched a deeper review into the unusually high cancellations—170 to 200 per day—flagging the situation as “not sustainable.”

Aviation Minister’s Warning: Restore Operations, Keep Fares Stable

Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu chaired a high-level meeting to evaluate the crisis and expressed serious dissatisfaction over IndiGo’s lack of readiness for FDTL Phase 2. He directed the airline to restore normal operations swiftly and instructed that ticket prices must not rise due to the disruptions.

The minister also asked AAI officials to coordinate with airport directors to support stranded passengers, many of whom shared images of overcrowded terminals and chaotic queues on social media.

Passenger Outrage Erupts Across Social Media

As cancellations mounted, passengers turned to social platforms to voice their anger. Many said they received no timely alerts, while others complained that even IndiGo’s Plan B rescheduling showed them as “ineligible.” Several shared videos of congested terminals, long lines at counters and last-minute flight changes.

One passenger posted:
“My flight was cancelled and your system still shows me ineligible for Plan B.”

IndiGo responded to multiple posts, saying teams were working round the clock with the support of MOCA, DGCA, BCAS, AAI and various airport operators to reduce the cascading impact of delays.

IndiGo Issues Heartfelt Apology, Admits Misjudgment

IndiGo released several statements acknowledging the airline “deeply regrets” the inconvenience caused. It admitted that the crisis was triggered by a combination of factors including:

• Crew shortage
  
• Planning gaps
  
• Miscalculations during FDTL Phase-2 implementation
  
• Minor technical glitches
  
• Winter schedule adjustments
  
• Adverse weather
  
• Aviation system congestion
  

The airline said it will require time until February 10 to fully stabilise operations and restore punctuality.

How to Check IndiGo Flight Status in Real Time

With irregular operations continuing nationwide, IndiGo urged passengers to check real-time updates before heading to the airport.

Using the Website

1. Visit the official flight status page.
   
2. Search by Flight Number, PNR, or Route.
   
3. Select your travel date.
   
4. View live updates on delays, cancellations, terminal info and revised timings.
   

Using the Mobile App

1. Install the official IndiGo app from Play Store or App Store.
   
2. Tap Flight Status.
   
3. Enter flight number or route.
   
4. Enable notifications for instant alerts.
   

Passengers are advised to check multiple times, as flight timings are constantly being revised during this crisis.

A Closer Look at What IndiGo’s Meltdown Means for Indian Aviation

This crisis has exposed deep cracks in the airline’s operational preparedness, particularly in crew planning and regulatory transitions. With a fleet of over 400 aircraft, more than 2,300 daily flights, and connectivity to 90+ domestic and 45+ international destinations, IndiGo’s scale means even small disruptions create cascading nationwide delays.

As IndiGo works toward recovery, the industry is watching closely to understand how India’s largest airline will rebuild its schedule, restore punctuality and regain passenger trust.

FAQs on the IndiGo Flight Disruption Crisis