Passengers flying from Ghaziabad's Hindon civil terminal faced significant disruption on Friday as budget carrier IndiGo suspended all its operations from the airport. The large-scale cancellation impacted a major portion of the terminal's daily schedule, leaving travelers scrambling for alternatives.
Complete Shutdown with No Clear Resumption Date
Mahesh, the director of the Hindon civil terminal, confirmed that the airline informed them in advance about the complete shutdown for the day. IndiGo operates eight of the terminal's 21 daily flights, connecting Ghaziabad to key cities like Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Indore, Kolkata, Mumbai, Patna, and Varanasi.
However, the airline has not provided any clarity on when its services will resume. "The airline assured us that passengers were alerted beforehand," Mahesh stated. He added that terminal authorities are coordinating closely with IndiGo and offering all assistance to minimize passenger inconvenience.
Cause: Transition to New Crew Duty Norms
IndiGo has attributed the widespread cancellations to operational challenges arising from the transition to the revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) Civil Aviation Requirements. These new norms, introduced in two phases on July 1 and November 1 following court directions, have necessitated significant adjustments in crew scheduling and rostering.
The airline's statement indicates that the revised regulations, aimed at enhancing flight safety and crew well-being, have created temporary logistical hurdles, leading to the suspension of services from Hindon.
Other Airlines Operate Normally, Helpdesk Activated
While IndiGo's operations ground to a halt, other airlines operating from the Hindon terminal reported business as usual. Air India Express, which flies to destinations including Kolkata, Goa, Jaipur, and Bengaluru, maintained its schedule without any disruptions.
Similarly, Star Air (flights to Nanded and Adampur) and FlyBig (services to Bathinda, Ludhiana, and Kishanganj) continued their operations normally. This contrast highlights that the issue is specific to IndiGo's internal adjustments.
To manage the fallout, the terminal helpdesk has been actively receiving calls throughout the day. Helpline numbers have been issued to brief affected passengers about the situation and guide them on possible next steps. Airport officials stated they are monitoring the situation closely and will issue further updates once IndiGo communicates its revised operational plan.
