IndiGo Cancels All Domestic Flights from Delhi Till Midnight
December 5, 2025 : IndiGo cancelled all its domestic flights departing from Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI), Delhi for the day. The decision came amid unprecedented flight disruptions following a crew shortage and regulatory changes that drastically altered pilot duty norms. The airport confirmed the cancellations via an official update on X.
Meanwhile, other reports suggested the cancellations might last only until 3 pm. That conflicting information — one from airport authorities and another attributed to DGCA sources — added to the confusion among travellers.
Passengers already facing delays, last-minute cancellations, and skyrocketing fares were caught off guard by the sudden shutdown of all outgoing flights from the capital. Scenes of frustration and chaos emerged at airport gates as many travellers demanded explanations.
Why the Sudden Shutdown?
The current crisis at IndiGo has roots in new pilot roster regulations implemented by DGCA in November. These rules — part of the FDTL (Flight Duty Time Limitations) framework — mandate longer rest periods for crew members and restrict night-time flying.
IndiGo, which operates over 400 aircraft and runs around 2,300 flights daily under normal conditions, acknowledged that it underestimated the staffing requirements under the new norms. As a result, the airline faced a severe pilot shortage just when winter schedules and increased passenger demand overlapped.
Officials told regulators that actual crew needs were higher than projected. Regulators have reportedly asked the airline for a detailed plan to address the staffing shortfall, including recruitment, roster changes, and mitigation steps.
Nationwide Impact & Passenger Chaos
The disruption is not limited to Delhi. On Thursday alone, IndiGo cancelled more than 300 flights across key airports including Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Mumbai.
By Friday, reports estimated that over 500 to 550 flights nationwide were cancelled, leaving thousands of passengers stranded. The airline’s on-time performance plunged dramatically, and fare rates on alternate flights surged steeply.
At Delhi airport today, 135 departures and 90 arrivals by IndiGo were cancelled by late morning, making IGI the worst-hit airport in the country so far. Similar chaos gripped Bengaluru and Hyderabad airports, with flights scrapped in large numbers across the board.
Reports of passengers being deboarded even after boarding, long waits without clarity, and lack of support from airline staff surfaced widely on social media. Some travellers alleged they were left without food or water for hours.
IndiGo Admits Planning Failure, DGCA Investigates
In a rare admission, IndiGo declared that the airline failed to plan adequately for the changes in pilot rest rules. The company said the actual crew demand turned out to be far more than anticipated.
At the same time, DGCA has launched a formal probe into the massive cancellations and delays. The regulator has asked IndiGo to submit a comprehensive restoration plan, including details on crew availability, recruitment, and revised scheduling.
Among key demands by pilot associations — including the Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) — is full transparency and timely compliance with mandated rest norms. The FIP has criticised IndiGo’s decision to enforce a hiring freeze even after a two-year lead time for preparing for FDTL implementation.
What This Means for Travellers
Passengers are advised to check their flight status frequently — especially when travelling with IndiGo in the coming days. The airline has indicated that its schedule will be scaled down further from December 8 to help stabilise operations.
Industry experts warn that disruptions may continue for at least a few more days while IndiGo attempts to reorganise its roster and ramp up pilot strength.
Meanwhile, consumers are urged: if you have imminent travel plans, consider alternate airlines or adjust your schedule.
Conclusion
Based on multiple credible media reports, the news claiming that IndiGo cancelled all domestic flights from Delhi till midnight today is authentic.
The primary cause is a severe crew shortage worsened by stricter pilot rest requirements under the new FDTL rules, and what appears to be inadequate crew planning by IndiGo.
At the moment, the disruption is ongoing. The airline and regulators have indicated that returning to normal operations may take several weeks — possibly until February 2026.