THE 2025 IndiGo DISASTER –HOW TO AVOID IT IN FUTURE ?

 THE 2025 IndiGo DISASTER –HOW TO AVOID IT IN FUTURE ?

WHAT HAPPENED ?

Since late November 2025, IndiGo has cancelled thousands of flights nationwide — by December 7 the total cancelled flights were reported to be over 3,800.

On some days, more than 750 flights were cancelled across major airports (Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad etc.).

The collapse in reliability was dramatic: on-time performance dropped to as low as 19.7 %.

REASONS FOR THE CRISIS

The crisis was caused largely by a shortage of available cockpit crew — triggered by newly implemented and stricter rules for pilot rest and duty time (the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) “Flight Duty Time Limitation” norms that increased mandatory rest hours for pilots, limited night-landings, and capped duty hours).

OUTCOMES AND WHAT WENT WRONG

The widespread cancellations left thousands of passengers stranded — complaints of long delays, last-minute cancellations, lack of communication or alternate flights, even basic support (food, rebooking) in many cases.

DGCA issued a show-cause notice to IndiGo’s top management for the operational failure.

 IndiGo reportedly processed refunds amounting to ₹610 crore under government direction

WHAT IndiGo SHOULD DO TO PREVENT FUTURE DISASTERS?

IndiGo Should Build sufficient staffing buffers and plan proactively for regulatory changes.

To Avoid over-reliance on “lean scheduling” or just-in-time crew deployment. Some slack/buffer must be built into scheduling so disruptions (weather, sickness, fatigue, leave) don’t cascade into systemic collapse.

ADOPT RISK-AWARE OPERATIONAL MODELS OVER PURELY COST-EFFICIENT MODELS

IndiGo should use scenario-based capacity planning: simulate what happens with moderate crew-shortage / flight-demand surges / weather disruptions / regulatory shifts — and build contingency plans.

When new regulations come from DGCA, the airline should communicate transparently to the regulator and public about its readiness: crew counts, roster planning, compliance status.

Periodic audits (internal and external) of crew-rosters, fatigue-management, crew-availability vs route schedule should be undertaken.

BETTER PASSENGER-CENTRIC CONTINGENCY PLANNING & COMMUNICATION

During IndiGo fiasco, majority of the IndiGo passengers complained that they have informed by the  IndiGo well in advance about the cancellation of flight.

Transparent communication through all possible channels (app, SMS, social media, airport announcements) to reduce confusion and distress among travellers.

5-POINT REFORM ROADMAP FOR INDIA’S AVIATION SECTOR (POST-INDIGO CRISIS)

·      Mandatory Crew-Capacity Planning & Stress-Testing

·      Regulatory Early Warning System (EWS)

·      Strengthening Competition & Market Resilience

·      Standardized Passenger Protection & Crisis Protocol

·      Technology-Driven Fatigue & Operations Management

POINTS JOSTLING IN OUR MIND

Is there any Risk Management committee is existing in IndiGo. If yes, why  it has not reviewed the DGCA ‘s “Flight Duty Time Limitation” norms that increased mandatory rest hours for pilots, limited night-landings, and capped duty hours and come out with the proper solution .

Why this fiasco cantered around IndiGo only – Why Air India, Vistara, Akasa Air, and SpiceJet were not affected is a million dollar question?

R V SECKAR,  FCS, LLB  79047 19295