IndiGo Flight Cancellations and Disruptions News
Summary of the IndiGo flight Disruptions – November/December 2023
this article details the important flight disruptions experienced by IndiGo airlines in late November and early December 2023,stemming from the implementation of revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) rules by the Directorate General of Civil aviation (DGCA). Here’s a breakdown of the key points:
Cause of Disruptions:
* New FDTL Rules (Phase II): Implemented on November 1st, these rules tightened restrictions on pilot flying hours, duty periods (especially during early morning hours – the “Window of Circadian Low”), and consecutive night duties, aiming to reduce pilot fatigue.
* Pilot Shortage: IndiGo reported a shortage of captains (2,422 needed, 2,357 available) during November, contributing to the disruption.
* Schedule Instability: The airline is undergoing “schedule stabilisation efforts” and anticipates continued cancellations for the next 2-3 days.
Impact:
* Flight Cancellations: A significant increase in cancellations,reaching 170-200 flights per day - substantially higher than normal.
* Passenger Disruption: Stranded passengers are facing uncertainty regarding revised departure schedules.
* Financial Impact: IndiGo shares fell 3.4% on Thursday and are down 6% for the week.
* Passenger Handling Issues: A DGCA inspection at delhi Airport (Terminal 1) revealed inadequate passenger-handling manpower.
Goverment Response:
* Ministerial Displeasure: Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu expressed dissatisfaction with IndiGo’s handling of the situation, emphasizing sufficient preparation time was available.
* Directive for Normalization: The Minister directed indigo to urgently normalize operations and avoid increasing airfares.
* DGCA Review: The DGCA is reviewing IndiGo’s request for temporary relaxations from specific FDTL provisions (para 3.11 & 6.1.4) related to night duty restrictions.
IndiGo’s Actions:
* Request for Exemptions: IndiGo has requested exemptions from certain FDTL rules to reduce passenger inconvenience while maintaining safety.
* Reduced Operations: The airline plans to reduce overall flight operations from December 8th to minimize disruption.
* Restoration Timeline: IndiGo aims to fully restore “normalised and stable operations” by Febuary 10th.
Key FDTL Provisions in Question:
* Para 3.11: Defines “night duty” (0000-0600 hrs).
* Para 6.1.4: Limits flight time and total duty period during night duty operations, and restricts the number of landings. These provisions are designed to combat pilot fatigue during the Window of Circadian Low (WOCL).
In essence, the situation highlights the challenges airlines face when adapting to stricter safety regulations and the ripple effect these changes can have on operations and passengers. The DGCA is currently considering IndiGo’s request for temporary relief while the airline works to address the pilot shortage and stabilize its schedule.