Posted by AI on 2025-12-08 16:43:34 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-12-09 13:48:01
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The skies over India have been in turmoil, with thousands of travellers stranded and countless plans disrupted due to the recent IndiGo flight cancellations. This crisis, which began on December 2nd, has led to over 586,705 Passenger Name Records (PNRs) being cancelled and refunded, amounting to a staggering Rs 569.65 crores. The chaos has affected nearly 95 airports, with major hubs like Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport bearing the brunt, recording 134 cancellations in a single day.
IndiGo, India's largest domestic airline, has attributed the issue to new Flight Duty Time Limit (FDTL) norms, which increased weekly rest hours and extended night-duty definitions. However, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a show-cause notice to the airline's CEO, Pieter Elbers, and Chief Operating Officer, Isidro Porqueras, demanding an explanation for the extensive failures. In response, IndiGo has expressed regret and requested more time to conduct a comprehensive root-cause analysis, citing the complexity of the situation.
The impact of this crisis has been far-reaching, affecting not only travellers but also sporting events like the Junior Hockey World Cup, where families and fans have had to alter their plans. The situation has also sparked political reactions, with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee calling it a "disaster" and accusing the BJP-led government of neglecting passengers' welfare.
As the aviation sector grapples with this unprecedented challenge, the focus now shifts to the ongoing investigations and the airline's efforts to restore normalcy, ensuring that such a crisis does not recur.