Indigo Crisis: All You Need to Know

 What exactly is happening?

  • Indigo has been facing a severe operational crisis, mainly due to pilot-rostering problems linked to the second phase of the FDTL (Flight Duty Time Limitations).
  • For several days, Indigo has been cancelling hundreds of flights per day.
  • Around 350 flights were cancelled on December 4.
  • Over 1000 flights were cancelled on December 5.
  • Cancellations have come down but are still high.


Consequences:
  • Passengers have been stranded at major airports with long queues, chaotic counters, and overcrowded terminals, without their baggage being delivered to them.
  • They are often notified very late about cancellations.
  • They are paying unprecedented fares for last-minute flights and train journeys. For example, a one-way SpiceJet economy-class Kolkata-Mumbai flight hit INR 90,000.


Root Cause:
  • Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu said that the massive disruption in Indigo flights was due to the airline's miscalculation of crew requirements under the new FDTL norms.
  • Weekly rest hours increased from 36 to 48.
  • Night landings per pilot-week reduced from 6 to 2.
  • Night duty hours are capped at 10 hours.
  • Airlines cannot count personal leave as rest.
  • Indigo did not plan its rostering properly. It underestimated the effects of these measures.
  • It did not hire enough pilots and built an aggressive schedule.
  • Moreover, 40+ aircraft have been grounded due to Pratt & Whitney engine issues.


DGCA and Civil Aviation Ministry's Actions:
  • A formal investigation and inquiry have been ordered into the airline.
  • Passengers will not be charged for rebooking or cancellations; Indigo must pay for them. They must also fund hotel stays for stranded passengers.
  • Airlines have been instructed not to exploit passengers by hiking prices.
  • Indigo has been ordered to deliver baggage to passengers' homes within 48 hours.
  • The Ministry of Civil Aviation put the FDTL guidelines on hold, temporarily, until the situation is resolved.
  • A four-member inquiry committee has been formed to examine the reasons behind the airline's failure to manage the crisis and adjust according to the FDTL guidelines.
  • The Civil Aviation Minister assured that complete normalcy should be seen by Tuesday.


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