IndiGo’s operational crisis, triggered by the new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules effective from November 1, has revealed a clear gap between the airline’s assurances to investors and the reality on the ground. Despite repeatedly claiming that the revised crew-rest norms would have minimal impact and that it was fully prepared for the busy winter season, IndiGo has recorded the highest flight cancellations in the country. This prompted a DGCA inquiry and warnings from the Civil Aviation Minister about inevitable regulatory action. The FDTL framework was announced nearly two years ago, and its phased implementation was well known. Yet, IndiGo had consistently projected limited operational disruption while aggressively expanding capacity for the festive travel peak.
During its November 4 earnings call, CEO Pieter Elbers emphasized the airline’s readiness for peak demand, while CFO Gaurav Negi described the revised rules as a minor cost uptick. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu blamed IndiGo entirely, noting no other airline faced similar issues and promising action after the inquiry. The market reacted sharply, with InterGlobe Aviation losing nearly ₹25,000 crore in six trading sessions amid the crisis’s financial and reputational impact.
