IndiGo crisis: What are FDTL rules and how they are disrupting flight schedules?

India's aviation sector has been facing turbulence for days due to the strict Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL), a pilot crunch and technical glitches, which have affected flight schedules this winter. Over 550 IndiGo flights were reportedly cancelled in a day, and on-time performance dropped to 35 per cent. This resulted in long queues of stranded passengers at airport terminals. The regulatory measures that were taken to curb pilot fatigue for safety concerns have sparked chaos at the airport, leaving passengers frustrated.

However, on 5 December 2025, the DGCA issued a fresh notification withdrawing the clause that prohibited airlines from substituting weekly rest with leave. This relaxation has been made effective immediately.

The regulator said the withdrawal was necessary due to operational disruptions and representations from airlines struggling to maintain continuity and stability of operations, particularly amid the IndiGo crisis.

What are FDTL norms?

The FDTL rules pertain to the total duty hours of a pilot, their flight duration, the number of night landings they may perform, and the minimum rest they must receive. After reviewing fatigue reports and global standards, these limits were revised in January 2024 by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The new norms have been applied in two phases and include placing stricter caps on night operations, extending the definition of night, and lengthening weekly rest.

Key FDTL norms under the earlier revised rules include:

-Pilots must get 48 hours of weekly rest without interruption.

-Pilots can do only two night landings, down from the earlier limit of six.

-They cannot be scheduled for more than two night shifts in a row.

-“Night” now means 00:00 to 06:00, instead of 00:00 to 05:00 earlier.

-Airlines must make roster adjustments and submit fatigue reports every quarter.

Why is FDTL disrupting flight schedules?

On May 31, 2024, the DGCA notified the revised FDTL rules with immediate effect. The airlines were initially required to comply by June 1, 2024. However, the implementation was delayed, and a phased roll-out was announced starting July 1, 2025 and completed on November 1, 2025.

This change brought the loopholes in crew availability across airlines to the forefront, with the major impact seen on IndiGo, which is India's largest carrier. Over 550 IndiGo flights were reportedly cancelled in just a single day, while hundreds more were delayed.