DGCA gives in to IndiGo’s demands, eases duty rules

The civil aviation regulator DGCA on Friday capitulated to IndiGo’s demands and granted a one-time exemption from crew fatigue rules introduced last month, even as India’s biggest airline cancelled over 1,000 flights—more than half its daily operations—in the most catastrophic day of a meltdown that has stranded tens of thousands of passengers across four days and led to angry scenes at airports.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation granted IndiGo relief from provisions limiting pilot duty hours at night until February 10, rules that were first announced in January 2024.