New Delhi – IndiGo, India's largest airline, cancelled over 1,000 flights on Friday, December 5, 2025, as it initiated a major operational "reboot" to address widespread disruptions. The drastic measure stranded thousands of passengers across the country, leading to chaos at major airports. IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers issued a public apology, acknowledging the severe inconvenience caused to travelers. ^{[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]}The airline confirmed the cancellations were a necessary step to realign its systems and schedules for progressive improvements. This action came after earlier attempts to manage the ongoing operational challenges proved insufficient. ^[1][2][4][5]### Addressing the Crisis Pieter Elbers, in a video message and an internal email to employees, expressed his regret over the disruptions. He stated, "I, on behalf of all of us at IndiGo, would like to extend our sincerest apologies for the major inconvenience this has caused to many of our customers on account of delays or cancellations." E^[4][6]lbers highlighted that December 5 was the most severely impacted day, with more than half of IndiGo's daily flights cancelled. ^[3][4][6]The decision to cancel such a high number of flights was described as "imperative" for stabilizing operations. I^[1][2][5]ndiGo's on-time performance at major airports had plummeted to as low as 8.5 percent during the crisis. P^[9][7]assengers faced long queues, unclaimed luggage, and scenes of frustration at terminals in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. ^[10][9][7]### Root Causes and Regulatory Response The extensive flight disruptions stemmed from an accumulation of several operational challenges. A^[10] primary factor was the implementation of new Flight Duty Time Limit (FDTL) norms for pilots, which began on November 1. T^{[10][4][9][7][8]}hese new regulations mandate increased rest periods for pilots and restrict night duties, significantly raising the airline's crew requirements. ^[9]IndiGo acknowledged "misjudgment and planning gaps" in preparing for the second phase of these FDTL rules. T^[9]he airline's traditional business model, which relies on maximizing aircraft and crew utilization with a small buffer, was unable to adapt quickly enough to the sudden need for more rest hours and limited night operations. O^[9][7]ther contributing factors included minor technology glitches, schedule changes, adverse weather conditions, and increased congestion within the aviation system. ^[10]In response to the escalating crisis, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) stepped in. The regulator temporarily suspended some stricter FDTL provisions for IndiGo. T^[5][7][8]his included withdrawing a provision that barred substituting weekly rest with leave, which restored some crucial scheduling flexibility for the airline. T^[7]his support from the DGCA was crucial in managing the situation. ^[5]### IndiGo's Recovery Plan IndiGo has outlined three immediate priorities to restore normalcy. The first is to improve communication with passengers. The airline has sent messages on social media and detailed communications regarding refunds, cancellations, and other customer support measures. I^[4][6][8]ndiGo also increased its call center capacity to handle the surge in passenger inquiries and complaints. ^[4][6][8]The second priority focuses on clearing the backlog of stranded passengers at major hubs. IndiGo aimed for all stranded customers to travel on the same day the cancellations were made. T^[4][6]he airline urged customers not to come to airports if their flights were cancelled, as notifications were being sent promptly. ^[6]The third area of action involves the system-wide reboot and realignment of crew and aircraft. The cancellations on December 5 were made to ensure that pilots, cabin crew, and planes could be positioned correctly to start afresh with a more stable schedule. E^[4][6]lbers stated that the number of cancellations was expected to drop to below 1,000 on Saturday, December 6, marking the beginning of gradual improvement. ^[2][5][8]### Looking Ahead IndiGo anticipates that operations will gradually stabilize and return to a normal situation between December 10 and 15, 2025. T^{[1][2][4][5][7][8]}he airline has also offered a full waiver on all cancellation and rescheduling charges for bookings dated December 5 through December 15, 2025, and promised automatic refunds. F^[5][7]ull operational recovery is expected by February 10, 2026. ^[7]The airline, which carries close to 380,000 customers daily, aims to regain passenger trust by focusing on reliability and efficiency. T^[10][9]his operational reset is a critical step for IndiGo to overcome its most severe meltdown in recent memory and reinforce its position as India's dominant carrier. ^[9][8]

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