Massive rollback: DGCA tweaks rules to ease IndiGo flight crisis
05 Dec 2025

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has relaxed a key crew-duty requirement as IndiGo's operational crisis continues to disrupt air travel across India.

The regulator has temporarily withdrawn the rule that prohibited airlines from substituting weekly rest with accumulated leave.

The decision comes as a relief amid the ongoing pilot shortage and flight cancellations faced by IndiGo due to new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) rules.

DGCA's official statement on the rule withdrawal
Regulatory response

In an official order, the DGCA said, "In view of the ongoing operational disruptions and representations received from various airlines regarding the need to ensure continuity and stability of operations...the instruction contained in the referenced paragraph that no leave shall be substituted for weekly rest is hereby withdrawn with immediate effect."

The regulator hopes this relaxation will give airlines more flexibility to stabilize their schedules amid pilot and crew shortages.

DGCA grants conditional exemption to IndiGo
Exemption details

Along with the rule withdrawal, the DGCA has also given IndiGo a one-time conditional exemption from key night-duty limitations.

The regulator has allowed IndiGo pilots to operate up to six night landings, a major departure from the current FDTL norms that cap night landings at two per pilot.

The exemption will remain in effect until February 10 and will be reviewed every 15 days by the regulator.

IndiGo's operational challenges and flight cancellations
Flight disruptions

The DGCA's moves come as IndiGo's crisis enters fourth day, resulting in another wave of mass cancellations.

Today alone, over 700 flights were canceled after more than 550 yesterday. All Indigo flights from Delhi and Chennai airports have been canceled today.

The operational failures have left thousands of passengers stranded or forced to change their travel plans at the last minute as India's largest airline struggles to regain control of its schedule.