BS EDIT: Behind IndiGo's Flight Cancellations

By Business StandardPublished On Dec 5, 2025

A Preventable Disruption

Mass cancellations reveal poor planning. Airlines had over a year to prepare for the new DGCA rostering norms. This crisis was avoidable

The Safety Mandate

New rules target pilot fatigue, a major accident factor. They enforce longer rest, and stricter night duty limits, matching global best practices

The Growth Pressure

Rules demand more pilots amid massive fleet growth. Orders for 1500+ planes will require 20,000+ new pilots, creating a severe talent squeeze

Accusations of Understaffing

Pilots' body cites hiring freezes. Urges DGCA to approve schedules only if airlines prove adequate staffing for safe, reliable operations

The Quality Dilemma

Hiring is slow due to quality issues. Most flying schools lack top DGCA rankings, forcing expensive training for new hires or foreign recruitment

The Systemic Solution

Sustainable growth needs a holistic HR focus: forecast demand, hire continuously, and elevate training standards to match fleet expansion