Will IndiGo Avoid Flight Cancellations After February 10 Crew Norms Deadline?

ByUjjwal Sukhwani•January 21, 2026 at 06:38 PM•3 min read

REGULATORY Will IndiGo Avoid Flight Cancellations After February 10 Crew Norms Deadline?

IndiGo assured the DGCA of operational stability and no flight cancellations after February 10, citing sufficient pilot strength to meet revised crew roster norms.

Key Points

1IndiGo assured the DGCA of operational stability post-February 10, 2026.
2The deadline marks the end of temporary exemptions from revised FTDL norms.
3The airline reported 2,400 captains and 2,240 first officers for its Airbus fleet, exceeding minimum requirements.
4The DGCA continues to closely monitor crew roster integrity and system robustness to prevent future disruptions.

India’s largest carrier, IndiGo, has assured the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) that flight operations will remain stable. The airline confirmed no flights will be cancelled after February 10, 2026. This date marks the full implementation of revised crew roster norms. The airline previously received temporary exemptions from these rules.

Compliance and Crew Strength

IndiGo officials met with the DGCA on January 19, 2026, for a weekly review. The airline shared detailed information on its crew strength and operational readiness. The aviation regulator statement confirmed IndiGo's assurance of operational stability. This stability relies on their current network and above crew strength.

IndiGo is removing two Flight Time Duty Limitation (FTDL) exemptions. These exemptions were approved on December 6, 2025. They were granted to help normalise operations after December’s disruptions. The DGCA had been closely monitoring the airline since then.

Pilot Availability for Airbus Fleet

The airline reported having enough pilots to operate its scheduled flights. Specifically for its Airbus aircraft, IndiGo detailed its crew numbers. The airline stated it has 2,400 pilots-in-command (PICs) available. This exceeds the minimum requirement of 2,280 captains. IndiGo also reported 2,240 first officers available. This is more than the required 2,050 first officers. These figures suggest a sufficient buffer for stable operations.

Background on Regulatory Scrutiny

This assurance follows a major operational meltdown in early December. The chaos brought the India aviation sector to a near standstill. The disruptions were linked to inadequate crew management. An inquiry found the airline failed to identify planning deficiencies. The DGCA noted an overriding focus on maximising utilisation of crew and aircraft.

Revised FTDL norms mandate more rest for pilots. These rules aim to better manage pilot fatigue, a key safety risk. The new rules were phased in from July and November 2025. The December crisis led the DGCA to impose a fine. The regulator levied a fine of approximately ₹22.3 crore on IndiGo. Three senior executives were also warned for poor planning.

Ongoing Oversight

Since the December chaos, the DGCA has maintained enhanced oversight. The regulator required IndiGo to submit daily operational reports. These reports covered flight delays, cancellations, and crew availability. IndiGo has since submitted multiple weekly and fortnightly reports.

Following the latest meeting, the DGCA confirmed its continued monitoring. The regulator will focus on roster integrity and crew availability. They will also check buffer adequacy and system robustness. This ensures resilient and compliant airline operations across the sector.

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