IndiGo Crisis Continues: 58 Flights Cancelled at Hyderabad Airport

December 9, 2025 – The nationwide operational crisis gripping IndiGo, India’s largest airline, extended into its eighth consecutive day, causing continued inconvenience for passengers at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA). A total of 58 IndiGo flights—comprising 14 arrivals and 44 departures—were cancelled on Tuesday, December 9.

While the number marks a reduction compared to the peak disruptions seen earlier in the week, it highlights the continuing strain on the airline’s network. The cancellations impacted critical routes connecting Hyderabad to major cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Chennai, throwing the travel plans of thousands of passengers into disarray during the busy holiday season.

The Root Cause: New Pilot Rest Rules

The widespread disruption across IndiGo’s network is primarily attributed to a massive crew shortage following the enforcement of stricter Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on November 1.

• The New Rules: The revised FDTL mandates are designed to enhance flight safety by tackling pilot fatigue. Key changes include increasing the mandatory weekly rest period for pilots from 36 to 48 hours and imposing stringent limits on night flights and landings.
• IndiGo’s Shortfall: Industry experts suggest that IndiGo, known for its high-utilization business model, failed to adequately increase its pilot staff to comply with the new, more restrictive rostering requirements. This lack of preparation led to an immediate and significant reduction in available crew, triggering a cascading effect of delays and mass cancellations across the country.

Passenger Woes and Government Action

Passengers at RGIA and other major airports have reported long waits, poor communication from airline staff, and severe difficulty in rebooking flights or obtaining timely refunds. Many have been left stranded, missing important connecting journeys, family events, and business meetings.

The crisis has prompted a strong intervention from the government:

• Regulatory Scrutiny: The DGCA has issued a show-cause notice to the airline’s senior management, pointing to “significant lapses in planning.” The regulator has also granted a temporary, partial exemption from some FDTL rules to help IndiGo stabilize its operations, but has simultaneously warned of strict action if safety is compromised.
• Fare Caps and Penalties: To curb price gouging by other airlines on affected routes, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has imposed caps on airfares. Furthermore, the Civil Aviation Minister indicated that the government may implement penalties, including potentially curtailing IndiGo’s winter flight slots and reallocating them to other carriers until the airline proves it can ensure reliable operations.

Outlook for Travel

IndiGo has acknowledged the operational crisis, stating that it expects its network to fully stabilize between December 10 and December 15. The airline confirmed that it has processed significant amounts in refunds for the cancellations so far and is working to deliver delayed baggage.

While the 58 cancellations on December 9 show a downward trend from previous days, the situation remains volatile. Affected passengers are strongly advised to check the real-time status of their flights through IndiGo’s official channels before heading to the airport.

The crisis serves as a stark reminder of the complexities of running a large-scale aviation network and the massive impact operational failures can have on public travel, especially during peak seasons.