DGCA Rolls Back Order on Weekly Rest for Pilots, Cabin Crew Amid IndiGo Meltdown
Social media has been flooded with videos of long queues, distressed travelers, and crowded airport terminals
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has withdrawn its recent directive that barred airlines from substituting weekly rest with leave for pilots and cabin crew, as India’s aviation sector grapples with major operational disruptions.
The now-withdrawn instruction—effective from November 1—had mandated that no form of leave could replace the weekly rest period guaranteed to airline crew. However, with widespread flight delays and cancellations impacting operations across the country, the regulator has been compelled to roll back the order.
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IndiGo Crisis Deepens
The rollback comes as IndiGo, India’s largest airline, faces an unprecedented operational meltdown. The airline has mass-cancelled flights for the fourth consecutive day, severely affecting air travellers nationwide. On Friday alone, more than 500 IndiGo flights were delayed or cancelled, leading to chaos at major airports.
At Delhi Airport, the situation turned particularly grim. An advisory issued on Friday announced that all IndiGo departures from Delhi stood cancelled till midnight, stranding thousands of passengers.
Social media has been flooded with videos of long queues, distressed travellers, and crowded airport terminals. Many passengers reported waiting for hours without any clarity on flight schedules.
IndiGo posted an apology on X on Friday, acknowledging the disruptions and the inconvenience caused to passengers.
Airlines Seek Flexibility Amid Crew Shortages
The DGCA’s earlier order on rest requirements was introduced with the intent of strengthening crew fatigue management—a longstanding concern in Indian aviation. However, with airlines reporting acute crew shortages and rising demand, compliance proved operationally challenging.
By withdrawing the restriction, the regulator aims to provide some short-term relief to airlines struggling to stabilise schedules.
The aviation industry is hopeful that the relaxation will help restore normalcy, though full recovery may take several days as airlines work to reassign crew rosters and clear passenger backlogs.
