New Delhi: The Ministry of Civil Aviation announced on Friday that the Central Government is “fully alert” to the challenges being faced by air travellers amid widespread flight disruptions across the country, reaffirming that all necessary steps — including special regulatory relaxations — are being put in place to restore normal operations as quickly as possible. The clarification came at a time when IndiGo, the country’s largest airline, continued to grapple with an exceptional spike in delays and cancellations.
As per the latest official data, IndiGo has been cancelling roughly 170–200 flights each day, far beyond routine levels. On Friday alone, more than 500 flights operated by the carrier were either cancelled or severely delayed, creating significant inconvenience for passengers nationwide. The Delhi Airport advisory further noted that all IndiGo departures from the capital city were suspended until midnight, while flights operated by other airlines continued to run according to schedule.
After assessing the situation, the Civil Aviation Ministry issued two urgent directives instructing IndiGo and other carriers to put corrective mechanisms in place without delay. The orders set out several clear requirements: flight schedules must be stabilised by midnight, with complete restoration of services over the next couple of days; passengers whose flights are cancelled must receive automatic full refunds; real-time delay information must be made accessible remotely through enhanced tracking systems; stranded travellers must be provided with hotel accommodation; senior citizens must receive special assistance, including access to airport lounges; passengers affected by long delays must be given refreshments and essential supplies; and a 24-hour control room at the Ministry will continue to monitor the situation round the clock. The Ministry emphasised that it is constantly engaging with all relevant stakeholders and is committed to taking “every possible measure” to minimise public hardship.
In a simultaneous effort to support the stabilisation of operations, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) granted IndiGo a one-time temporary exemption from certain revised crew duty norms. This relaxation covers night duty limits between 12:00 am and 6:50 am and specific restrictions related to night-time operations under the newly updated Flight Duty Time Limit (FDTL) rules. The exemption, applicable to IndiGo’s A320 fleet, will remain valid until February 10, 2026. While granting the relief, the DGCA pointed out that IndiGo continues to hold primary responsibility for the disruptions but clarified that the temporary waiver has been approved in the broader public interest to ensure continuity of essential air services. The regulator also reiterated that safety guidelines must be adhered to strictly and warned that the exemption could be revoked immediately if any safety concerns arise.
Meanwhile, SpiceJet Chairman and Managing Director Ajay Singh said that his airline has stepped in to operate 100 additional flights over the next few days to help manage the load created by IndiGo’s operational challenges. Calling the situation “extremely unfortunate,” Singh acknowledged the “significant inconvenience” faced by passengers but expressed optimism that both the government and IndiGo were working diligently to fix the issue at the earliest. He further stated that it was crucial to determine the exact cause of the disruptions, fully supporting the government’s initiative to set up an inquiry committee. Singh stressed that identifying the root cause is essential to prevent similar disruptions from occurring in the future.
Despite the government’s intervention and support from other airlines, thousands of passengers across India continued to face delays, cancellations, and long waiting hours throughout Friday. Officials expect operations to return to normal gradually over the next several days as airlines implement the mandated steps and the temporary regulatory relaxations begin to show an impact.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has advised passengers to keep checking real-time updates and verify their flight status before heading to the airport.
