Grounded Giant: IndiGo's crew crunch crisis explained

IndiGo Airlines, which dominates the Indian civil aviation market, has hit major turbulence following the implementation of the new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FTDL) norms mandated by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). In the first three days of this week, the airline cancelled over 200 flights, with the number of cancellations surging past 500 on Thursday. Shemin Joy decodes the crisis.

Why is IndiGo cancelling a large number of flights?

The airline has not been able to assign enough crew to operate its services after regulatory changes in rostering norms aimed at reducing stress and fatigue. The company had 18 months to prepare for the implementation of the FTDL norms, but it was slow to hire, resulting in insufficient crew strength to run its large-scale operations. It was clear from the outset that even if it did not increase the number of planes, IndiGo would need to hire more crew to adhere to the norms.

What prompted the changes in FTDL norms?

Pilots had been complaining about hectic scheduling that caused stress and fatigue, impacting flight security. The FDTL norms guarantee sufficient rest for pilots, minimising the risk of untoward incidents. The issue reached the courts, and in 2023, the DGCA said it would revise the norms. The regulator rolled out new norms in January 2024, with a roadmap for implementation from June 2024, but it was deferred after airlines said they would need more time. It was subsequently decided to implement the rules in two phases on July 1 and November 1 this year.

What are the changes in FTDL norms?

Flight crew now have 48 hours of uninterrupted rest each week, up from 36 hours earlier. Night landings have been capped at two, compared to six previously, and crew should not be assigned more than two consecutive night duties. Airlines must also submit quarterly fatigue reports after analysis.

Why did IndiGo face trouble?

The airline's current crisis did not come out of the blue. Experts point to its slow pace of hiring despite being aware of the new FTDL norms. While it continued to add aircraft to its fleet weekly, recruitment did not match the pace. Over 1,200 services of IndiGo were cancelled in November. Its On-Time Performance fell from a high of 91.4% in July to 67.7% in November. On Tuesday, it fell to a low of 35%, and by Thursday, it dropped further to 8.5%.

What did the airline tell the Ministry of Civil Aviation and DGCA?

IndiGo said it was facing significant transitional challenges in roster planning and crew availability under Phase 2 of the FDTL requirements. These issues, combined with winter operational constraints, have led to a sharp spike in cancellations and delays. It admitted that the disruptions arose primarily from misjudgment and planning gaps.

What is the roadmap that IndiGo presented before the authorities?

IndiGo expects its operations to normalise by February 10 next year. This weekend could see more cancellations as part of schedule stabilisation efforts. From December 8, it will reduce operations to minimise disruption. The DGCA has asked IndiGo to submit a detailed roadmap outlining projected crew recruitment vis-a-vis the new induction of aircraft.

Why is it having a huge impact on the aviation sector?

IndiGo is the market leader in India, commanding 65% of the business. Its nearest competitor, Air India, is way behind with a market share of just over 25%. IndiGo operates over 2,300 services daily, so cancellations of 20-25% have a huge impact.