IndiGo Assures No Flight Cancellations After February 10 Amid FDTL Rule Implementation

New Delhi, Jan 2026 : Low-cost carrier IndiGo has informed the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) that it does not intend to cancel any flights after February 10, 2026, when the airline must implement the new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules. The airline said it now has an adequate number of pilots to comply with the updated regulations, which require increased rest periods for flight crew.

The DGCA had initially deferred the FDTL rules for IndiGo on December 6, 2025, following widespread flight disruptions caused by a severe pilot shortage. The disruptions left thousands of passengers stranded at airports across the country. The regulator had given the airline time until February 10 to stabilise its operations.

On Monday, DGCA officials met with IndiGo management, during which the airline confirmed it has 2,400 captains against a requirement of 2,280 and 2,240 first officers against a requirement of 2,050, ensuring sufficient staffing to operate flights under the new FDTL rules.

“During the meeting with the DGCA on Monday, IndiGo assured operational stability and no flight cancellations after February 10, 2026, based on the current approved network,” the regulator stated on Tuesday.

The airline had faced a DGCA fine of ₹22.20 crore following the large-scale operational disruptions in early December 2025. Between 3rd and 5th December, IndiGo cancelled 2,507 flights and delayed 1,852 flights, inconveniencing over three lakh passengers nationwide.

The penalty was levied after a detailed inquiry conducted by a four-member DGCA committee, which assessed the causes of the disruptions. The total fine comprised a one-time systemic penalty of ₹1.80 crore for multiple violations of Civil Aviation Requirements and a daily penalty of ₹30 lakh for 68 days from 5th December 2025 to 10th February 2026, amounting to ₹20.40 crore.

The DGCA committee’s report highlighted that the primary reasons for the disruptions were over-optimisation of operations, insufficient regulatory preparedness, and weaknesses in management structure and operational control. The committee noted that the airline had failed to adequately identify planning gaps, maintain a sufficient operational buffer, and implement the revised FDTL provisions effectively.

This approach, the committee observed, compromised roster integrity and adversely impacted operational resilience, contributing to the large-scale cancellations and delays experienced by passengers in December.

With the assurance from IndiGo that it now meets the FDTL staffing requirements, the DGCA expects smooth operations without cancellations after February 10, restoring confidence among passengers and stabilising India’s domestic aviation sector.

Team Maverick.