Elbers expressed gratitude for the support from the regulatory body.
IndiGo Chaos Update: DGCA Eases Crew Rules, Airline Aims to Resume Normal Operations
In a statement issued on December 5, According to Indigo Airline’s CEO, Pieter Elbers, IndiGo is focused on normalising its flight operations by December 10–15. Elbers acknowledged the widespread flight cancellations and delays that have impacted and caused inconvenience to thousands of passengers across the country. He said December 5 was the most impacted day, with a peak in cancellations.
Elbers highlighted that IndiGo expects the number of cancellations to fall below 1,000 on December 6 and is working towards a gradual return to normalcy over the next few days. He emphasised that stabilising operations will still take some time due to the scale and complexity of the airline’s network, which operates more than 2,200 flights daily.
Recent changes in crew rostering norms and flight duty regulations enforced by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) are the major factor for this massive-scale disruption. DGCA has eased certain rules between December 10 and 15 to facilitate recovery and allowed for more flexibility in crew scheduling. Elbers expressed gratitude for the support from the regulatory body.
He said that IndiGo had underestimated the additional crew requirements under the new regulations, which contributed towards planning gaps and operational challenges. The airline is now taking steps to address these gaps, including adjusting flight schedules and rostering practices to restore smooth functioning.
He gave assurance to passengers that the airline is committed towards resolving the disruptions and emphasised that IndiGo’s management is working on multiple fronts to ensure safety, reliability, and timely service. He urged patience from travellers and emphasised that the airline is aimed at normalcy towards full operational capacity within the next ten days.
While IndiGo faces a challenging phase, the airline’s management is actively working with regulatory authorities and implementing corrective measures. With the DGCA’s temporary easing of norms and IndiGo’s recovery plan, the airline anticipates a phased return to normal flight operations by mid-December, ensuring minimal disruption for passengers.
Source: Hindustan Times
