**IndiGo Cancels Flights Due to Crew Shortages and Technical Issues**
IndiGo, the largest airline in India, has canceled approximately 42 flights from Bengaluru airport on Wednesday, primarily due to crew shortages, technical difficulties, and congestion at the airport. This situation follows a series of delays and cancellations affecting numerous IndiGo flights across various airports in recent days, as the airline has struggled to secure enough crew members to operate its services. Additionally, 32 flights were canceled from Mumbai airport.
An official statement indicated that the cancellations from Bengaluru were largely attributed to crew shortages, with similar issues reported from Mumbai. The airline has faced significant operational challenges following the implementation of new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) on November 1, which restricts the maximum working hours for pilots and flight crews to ensure safety and prevent fatigue.
IndiGo acknowledged the disruptions, stating, “We have experienced several unavoidable flight delays and some cancellations in the past few days due to various reasons including technology issues, airport congestion, and operational requirements.” The airline’s spokesperson assured that teams are working diligently to restore normal operations as quickly as possible.
The FDTL regulations have led to an acute crew shortage, resulting in widespread cancellations and delays. On Tuesday, IndiGo’s on-time performance plummeted to just 35%, the lowest among Indian airlines, whereas it typically maintains an on-time performance above 80% at major airports like Delhi and Mumbai.
Passengers affected by the cancellations are being offered alternative flight options or refunds, as applicable. IndiGo has urged customers to check the latest flight status before heading to the airport to minimize inconvenience.
In addition to the issues at Bengaluru and Mumbai, some IndiGo flights at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad were also delayed or canceled due to similar technical and operational challenges. However, operations at RGIA are currently reported to be normal.
As the airline works to address these challenges, it remains committed to providing updates and support to its customers during this difficult period.
**FAQ**
**What caused the recent flight cancellations by IndiGo?**
The recent cancellations were primarily due to crew shortages, technical issues, and airport congestion, exacerbated by the new Flight Duty Time Limitations implemented on November 1.
