The Ministry of Civil Aviation has issued urgent directives to airlines, with a specific focus on IndiGo, to immediately implement measures aimed at resolving the severe disruption to flight schedules and stabilising services without any further delay. This move comes as flight cancellations and delays entered their fourth consecutive day on Friday, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded across airports.
Immediate Directives to Ease Passenger Woes
In an official statement, the ministry outlined two key orders to address public inconvenience and restore operational stability. The government has set clear expectations for the resolution of the crisis. All flight schedules are expected to begin stabilising and returning to normal from midnight on Friday, with full service stability anticipated over the next couple of days.
The ministry has mandated several passenger-centric measures:
- In the event of a flight cancellation, IndiGo must ensure an automatic full refund for the ticket.
- Stranded passengers are to be accommodated in hotels booked by the airlines.
- Special provisions are ordered for senior citizens, including lounge access to prevent any discomfort.
- Passengers on delayed flights must be provided with refreshments and other necessities.
Furthermore, passengers can track potential delays from home through the information systems installed by IndiGo and other carriers. A 24x7 control room at the Ministry of Civil Aviation is now actively monitoring the situation on a real-time basis.
DGCA Grants Temporary Exemption to IndiGo
In a related development aimed at easing the operational logjam, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) granted IndiGo Airlines a one-time temporary exemption from specific crew duty regulations. This exemption, valid until February 10, 2026, covers provisions related to Night Duty and restrictions on night operations under the revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) rules for the airline's A320 fleet.
The regulator clarified that while the operator is primarily responsible for the passenger inconvenience, the exemption is being granted in the public interest to ensure continuity of essential air services. The DGCA simultaneously stressed that all safety requirements must continue to be strictly observed and reserved the right to revoke the exemption if safety is compromised.
Airlines' Response and the Path Forward
The Central Government has stated it is fully alert to the woes of air passengers and is in constant consultation with all stakeholders. The ministry affirmed that every possible measure, including rule exemptions, will be taken to restore schedules and mitigate public distress.
IndiGo, in a statement on social media platform X, indicated that Friday would likely see the highest number of cancellations. The airline explained it was undertaking proactive short-term cancellations to ease operations, decongest airports, and reboot its systems for a progressive improvement starting from Saturday. The airline deeply apologised for the disruptions, acknowledging that the situation would not be resolved overnight.
The ministry's intervention underscores the severity of the ongoing crisis and the government's push to hold airlines accountable while providing immediate relief to affected travellers across the country.
