DGCA Withdraws Weekly Rest Clause for IndiGo, Offering a Partial Relief Amid their Crew Shortages and New Operational Disruptions Leading to Passenger Delays

Published on December 5, 2025

In a major relief, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation has withdrawn its earlier instruction regarding weekly rest for crew members, providing partial relief to IndiGo as the latter struggles with an ongoing pilot and crew shortage, which has led to large-scale disruptions. The move comes when IndiGo, India’s largest low-cost airline, has been struggling with staff shortages that have left thousands of passengers stranded due to cancelled flights and delayed services. The DGCA had initially put in place regulations relating to working hours for pilots and crew, leading to a massive staff crunch for IndiGo. This, in turn, resulted in the operational difficulties IndiGo faced in maintaining a full schedule.

Relief for IndiGo: The Withdrawal of the ‘No Substitution’ Rule

The fresh notification issued by the DGCA on Friday reads: “In view of the ongoing operational disruptions and representations received from various airlines regarding the need to ensure continuity and stability of operations…the instruction contained in the referenced paragraph that no leave shall be substituted for weekly rest is hereby withdrawn with immediate effect.”

This clause, which previously mandated that weekly rest days could not be substituted or replaced by leave, had caused significant strain on IndiGo’s operations as it was unable to compensate for staff absences effectively. The DGCA’s withdrawal of this rule offers a degree of operational flexibility, enabling the airline to better manage its crew resources and avoid further disruption to its flight operations.

The Impact of Crew Shortages on IndiGo’s Operations

The staffing crisis at IndiGo has been exacerbated by the combination of an increasing demand for air travel and the limitations imposed by the earlier DGCA regulations on pilot and crew hours. With the airline struggling to cover shifts, the crew shortage led to widespread flight delays and cancellations, leaving thousands of passengers stranded across airports. The DGCA’s decision to relax some of the strict rest regulations is expected to help IndiGo stabilize its operations and manage crew rotations more efficiently, at least in the short term.

Long-Term Relief for the Aviation Industry

While the weekly rest clause withdrawal provides short-term relief for IndiGo, the underlying pilot and crew shortages in India’s aviation sector remain a challenge. The issue stems not only from increased flight demand but also from the airline industry’s struggle to train and retain qualified personnel following the pandemic-related workforce reductions.

The DGCA is expected to work closely with airlines, including IndiGo, to address these challenges and ensure consistent operational stability across the industry. Over the longer term, airlines will need to adapt by investing in pilot recruitment, training programs, and staff retention strategies to cope with aviation sector demand and prevent similar disruptions.

Tourism and Travel Impact: How the Crew Shortage Affects Passengers

The ripple effect of IndiGo’s crew shortage has been felt across the Indian travel industry, with tourists and business travelers alike facing delays and cancellations. IndiGo, a major player in the domestic flight market, serves millions of passengers annually, and its operational challenges have added strain to the already-demanding travel season.

As the airline works to manage staffing issues, the tourism sector is also closely watching how these disruptions affect the broader travel economy. Air travel reliability remains a key consideration for tourists when choosing destinations and airlines, and prolonged service disruptions could discourage potential travelers from booking flights.

DGCA’s Role in Managing Aviation Sector Regulations

The DGCA’s role in overseeing aviation safety and operational standards remains critical as airlines like IndiGo adapt to post-pandemic realities. While the weekly rest clause withdrawal provides immediate relief, the DGCA’s future regulations will need to strike a balance between ensuring crew welfare, operational efficiency, and passenger safety. This balance will be essential in maintaining a robust and reliable aviation sector in the face of rising air traffic and growing demand for domestic and international travel.

Ongoing Challenges and Opportunities for IndiGo and the Aviation Sector

The withdrawal of the weekly rest clause by the DGCA brings much-needed relief to IndiGo, but the pilot and crew shortages serve as a grim reminder that there is much work to be done on making India’s aviation workforce sustainable in the long run. The sector has to make sure it recruits, trains, and retains enough staff to cope with the surge in air travel demand. The easing of the regulations could give IndiGo a chance to get its operations to normalize and rebuild its reputation for reliability. However, the aviation industry will have to tackle challenges related to staffing comprehensively in order to ensure seamless operations and passenger satisfaction over the years.