New Delhi:
Angry outbursts, desperate requests, and helplessness — chaos is unfolding at IndiGo counters in airports across the country as the airline battles operational issues leading to delays and cancellations for hundreds of flights and airport woes for thousands of fliers.
As fliers take to social media to express their frustration and helplessness, NDTV answers the Frequently Asked Questions on the crisis and how you must prepare for your next flightIndiGo has blamed “a multitude of unforeseen operational challenges” for the situation. These include minor technology glitches, schedule changes linked to the winter season, adverse weather conditions, increased congestion in the aviation system and the implementation of updated crew rostering rules (Flight Duty Time Limitations).
While most of these factors are not so rare phenomena, the last is the big one. In January 2024, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, the national aviation regulator, made sweeping changes to regulations for passenger aircraft. The new rules focused on providing pilots and crew with adequate rest to enhance passenger safety.
Key highlights of these new rules are: extended weekly rest periods for flight crew, a changed definition of night, extending it by an hour, and a cap on maximum flight duty periods and the number of night landings. For example, night shifts for pilots and crew were reduced to just twice in a roster period, as compared to six earlier.
As the new regulations kicked in, a lot of crew members could no longer be on duty as per the airlines’ earlier schedules. This led to roster chaos and cancellations, and delays.
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