IndiGo Faces More Flight Cuts as DGCA FDTL Exemption Ends February 10
Key Points
- 1February 10 marks the end of the DGCA's temporary FDTL exemption for IndiGo's Airbus A320 pilots.
- 2IndiGo is preparing for a "short-term network readjustment" and potential flight cuts to comply with new pilot rest rules.
- 3The airline plans to shift some Airbus A320 routes to its ATR turboprop fleet to minimize the impact of the pilot shortage.
- 4The DGCA is closely monitoring IndiGo's schedule after imposing a record Rs 22.2 crore fine for December 2025 disruptions.
India’s largest airline, IndiGo, faces new operational hurdles. The carrier may implement additional flight cuts soon. This follows the expiration of a temporary exemption from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The exemption for new flight duty time limitations (FDTL) ends on February 10. The updated rules demand more pilots to maintain existing schedules.
IndiGo has assured the DGCA that disruptions will be avoided. The airline is considering a "short-term network readjustment" if necessary. This proactive measure aims to prevent a repeat of last year's severe operational chaos.
The FDTL Deadline
New DGCA FDTL rules were introduced to address pilot fatigue. They mandate longer rest periods for flight crew. The required weekly rest period increased from 36 hours to 48 hours. Night duty rules were also made stricter. These changes significantly increased the required pilot strength for all airlines.
IndiGo experienced mass cancellations in December 2025. This was due to a pilot and crew shortage under the updated FDTL criteria. Following the crisis, the airline cut its schedule by 10 percent. The DGCA granted a temporary exemption for pilots operating the Airbus A320 fleet. This exemption was intended to stabilize operations.
Mitigation and Network Strategy
IndiGo currently operates about 2,200 daily flights. The majority of these flights use the Airbus A320/A321 family. To minimize fresh cuts, IndiGo is adjusting its fleet deployment. The airline will shift some medium-to-short routes from the Airbus A320 operations to its turboprop ATR fleet. This short-term network readjustment will slightly reduce A320 flights. However, it should help the airline operate a stable, truncated schedule.
This shift is a strategic move. It allows IndiGo to manage the high pilot requirement for the A320 fleet. The airline is also accelerating pilot hiring and command upgrades. These actions are meant to build sufficient pilot buffers. IndiGo is reportedly conducting dry runs using its scheduling software. This tests the available crew strength against the proposed post-February 10 schedule.
Regulatory Oversight and Penalties
The aviation ministry and the DGCA are closely monitoring the situation. The regulator is receiving constant updates from IndiGo. These updates will be matched against the proposed operations. The goal is ensuring full compliance and preventing any operational slippages. Officials have stressed the need to avoid last-minute cancellations. Affected passengers will be informed early and offered refunds or alternative flights.
The DGCA imposed a record financial penalty on IndiGo. The fine totaled Rs 22.2 crore (approximately $2.45 million). This was for the widespread December disruptions. The penalty also included a fine for each day the airline operated under the temporary FDTL exemption. This highlights the regulator's commitment to safety standards. The DGCA is determined to not allow a repeat of the December chaos.
Impact on Passengers and Operations
Aviation safety is the core reason for the new rules. The new flight duty time limitations aim to mitigate pilot fatigue risks. For passengers, the risk remains potential airline schedule disruptions. Any further IndiGo flight cuts will reduce domestic capacity. This could potentially impact ticket prices across the sector. IndiGo's main challenge is now internal. The airline must stabilize its operations. It also needs to improve its relationship with its pilots.
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Written by
Ujjwal SukhwaniAviation News Editor & Industry Analyst delivering clear coverage for a worldwide audience.
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