New Delhi | Special Correspondent: Arun Sharma

India’s largest airline IndiGo is preparing for a phase of temporary flight reductions as regulatory relaxations granted by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) are set to expire on February 10. The move comes amid the full enforcement of revised Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms, which are aimed at enhancing flight safety and crew welfare.


According to airline sources, IndiGo may undertake short-term network adjustments to comply with the new rules while ensuring minimal disruption to passengers.


Pilot Availability a Key Challenge
The implementation of stricter FDTL norms has once again brought the issue of pilot and cabin crew availability into sharp focus. Earlier, the airline had already trimmed nearly 10% of its schedule following large-scale cancellations triggered by crew shortages.


Over 2,200 Flights a Day Under Review
IndiGo currently operates more than 2,200 domestic and international flights daily. Of these, around 350 flights are serviced by ATR turboprop aircraft, while the remainder are operated using Airbus A320 and A321 planes.


Sources indicate that the airline may redeploy ATR aircraft on short-haul routes, reducing dependence on narrow-body jets and avoiding deeper cuts.


Passengers to Be Informed in Advance
The airline has assured regulators that no last-minute cancellations will be allowed. In case of any changes, passengers will be notified well in advance and offered refunds or alternative flight options, officials said.


DGCA, Aviation Ministry on High Alert
Both the Civil Aviation Ministry and DGCA are closely monitoring the situation to ensure passenger convenience and operational stability. Officials stressed that safety compliance cannot be compromised, but public inconvenience will also not be tolerated.


Aviation experts believe the situation is temporary and expect operations to stabilise once pilot recruitment and scheduling systems are fully aligned with the new norms.


With air travel demand remaining strong nationwide, the coming weeks will be crucial for IndiGo as it balances regulatory compliance, safety priorities, and passenger trust on the national aviation stage.