NEW DELHI: Amid nationwide flight disruptions largely triggered by IndiGo’s operational challenges, the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued an urgent appeal to all pilot associations and pilots, requesting their full cooperation during what is expected to be one of the most challenging travel periods of the year.
The DGCA highlighted that a combination of operational constraints, unpredictable weather, seasonal travel demand, and ongoing disruptions at IndiGo has placed the aviation network under significant strain.
The regulator noted that these factors have resulted in widespread delays, cancellations, and mounting inconvenience for passengers across the country.
With India now entering the fog season, the peak holiday rush, and the marriage travel period, DGCA warned that flight operations could witness further instability—making coordination between pilots and airlines more critical than ever.
Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, IAS, emphasised that the situation demands unity and responsibility from all stakeholders in the cockpit community. The DGCA has sought pilot support to:
- Maintain stable operations during the weather-sensitive winter period
• Minimise avoidable delays and cancellations
• Prevent additional disruptions impacting passengers
• Strengthen coordination with airlines for proactive and safe operations
Calling pilots the backbone of India’s aviation ecosystem, Kidwai noted that their professionalism and sense of duty would be crucial in navigating the weeks ahead.
Reaffirming the regulator’s position, the DGCA chief also stated that the organisation remains fully committed to enforcing the Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) regulations “in letter and spirit,” ensuring that safety standards are not compromised even as temporary measures are taken to stabilise operations.
The appeal comes at a time when the aviation sector is already struggling to restore normalcy, and the DGCA continues to issue corrective directives aimed at minimising passenger impact.
