IndiGo Flight Cancellations Strand Thousands Due to New Pilot Rest Rules

IndiGo's Mass Flight Cancellations

• ✈️ IndiGo, India's largest airline, cancelled hundreds of flights on Thursday, stranding thousands of passengers.
• ⚠️ The cancellations are attributed to the airline's failure to properly adjust its roster planning to comply with new government regulations.

New Government Pilot Regulations

• 🗓️ New safety rules, announced last year and effective November 1st, mandate increased rest periods for pilots.
• ⏰ The mandatory rest per week for pilots has been raised by 48 hours, an increase of 12 hours from previous rules.
• 🌙 Pilots are now restricted to a maximum of two nighttime landings per week, a significant reduction from the previous limit of six.

Impact and Response

• 📉 IndiGo has cited stricter flight duty time limits as a factor in the cancellations, though rival carriers like Air India and SpiceJet have not faced similar disruptions.
• 🤝 Government regulators are scheduled to meet with IndiGo senior management to discuss the crisis and inquire about a recovery plan.