Mumbai December 5: Amidst massive operational disruptions at Indigo, the aviation regulator DGCA has relaxed flight duty norms on Friday, allowing pilots to take weekly rest periods instead of leaves. Under the revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms, there was a stipulation that no leave would replace weekly rest, implying that weekly rest periods and leaves were to be treated separately. This provision was originally included as part of efforts to address fatigue issues among pilots.

As per agency report, sources citing disruptions in Indigo flights stated that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation has decided to withdraw the provision from the FDTL norms that prohibited leaves from being substituted for weekly rest. Indigo has been facing a severe shortage of crew members, resulting in the cancellation of hundreds of flights following the implementation of the new FDTL standards.

In a letter issued on December 5, the DGCA noted that after considering the operational disruptions and the need to ensure continuity and stability of operations, as well as representations received from various airlines, it was deemed necessary to review the said provision. The second phase of the revised FDTL rules came into effect on November 1, and the inability to prepare for these changes on time has led to a massive shortage of crew members at Indigo.

New Delhi, March 18 – IndiGo, India's largest domestic airline, sees long-haul international flights as a major growth opportunity and is actively working towards expanding its presence in this segment, according to CEO Pieter Elbers. Speaking at the Skift India Forum, he emphasized the airline’s focus on international expansion, particularly in markets historically dominated by non-Indian carriers.

As per agency report, IndiGo, which operates a fleet of over 400 aircraft, is preparing to introduce long-haul services with wide-body Boeing 787 aircraft on lease. By the end of this year, the airline plans to launch direct flights to Amsterdam and Manchester, marking a significant step in its global expansion strategy. Typically, long-haul flights are defined as those exceeding nine hours in duration.

Elbers highlighted the airline's robust aircraft order book, calling it an "incredible asset" for future growth. IndiGo expects to receive long-range Airbus A321XLR aircraft later this year, followed by the delivery of wide-body Airbus A350 planes in 2027. With over 900 aircraft on order, the airline is positioning itself as a key player in India’s evolving aviation landscape.

The CEO also stressed the importance of cost leadership, acknowledging that the Indian market is highly price-sensitive and competitive. He emphasized that maintaining a cost advantage would be crucial for IndiGo as it seeks to establish itself as a leader in the long-haul flight segment.

New Delhi, March 7 – IndiGo Airlines has emerged as the world’s second-fastest-growing airline in terms of seat capacity, witnessing a 10.1 percent year-on-year increase in 2024, reaching over 134.9 million seats. The data, as per agency reports, comes from the latest analysis by the Official Airline Guide (OAG), which ranks IndiGo just behind Qatar Airways, which saw a 10.4 percent rise in seat capacity.

IndiGo has also secured the top position globally in flight frequency growth, recording a 9.7 percent annual increase in 2024. The airline operated 749,156 flights during the year, reflecting its expanding network. OAG further noted that IndiGo currently has one of the world’s largest aircraft orders, with more than 900 planes on order. In 2024 alone, the airline was the largest recipient of new Airbus aircraft, adding 58 planes to its fleet. However, a significant portion of IndiGo's fleet, approximately 80 aircraft, remains grounded due to supply chain issues related to maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services.

IndiGo continues to focus on domestic operations, with 88 percent of its capacity allocated to the Indian market. However, international expansion remains a key part of the airline’s long-term strategy, particularly targeting the Middle East and Thailand markets. The airline is also exploring long-haul, low-cost services and is considering advancing its plans to introduce wet-lease aircraft in 2025 to support this initiative.

In terms of financial performance, IndiGo reported a net profit of ₹2,449 crore for the October-December quarter of the current fiscal year ending March 31, 2025. This marks an 18 percent decline compared to the same period last year. Despite the dip in net profit, the airline’s revenue from operations grew by 14 percent year-on-year, reaching ₹22,111 crore for the quarter.

The airline’s total income for the quarter stood at ₹22,992.8 crore, a 14.6 percent increase from the previous year. However, total expenses surged by 19.9 percent to ₹20,465.7 crore, impacting overall profitability. IndiGo’s load factor for the quarter improved to 86.9 percent, slightly up from 85.8 percent in the corresponding period last year.

With its continued expansion in both domestic and international markets, IndiGo remains a dominant player in the global aviation industry, positioning itself for further growth in the coming years.

Patna, Jan 17 (IANS) An IndiGo airlines flight to Pune was delayed on Wednesday after the pilot refused to fly the plane and went home.

It was later discovered that he had received news of his mother's passing away just as the flight was preparing for take-off.

Flight 6E126, with 62 passengers, was scheduled to take off at 1.30 pm on Wednesday and the passengers had boarded. But as the plane was about to take off, the pilot refused to fly, saying that his mental state was not right.

He deboarded from the plane and went home.

The passengers were surprised with the excuse by the pilot and even the crew members were clueless why the pilot was mentally upset.

However, after the pilot left, the crew members learnt that his mother had passed away and he was informed about it at the time of take-off. He tried to stay calm but he finally decided not to fly.

As passengers were intimated, they understood the situation that the pilot was in.

They were later informed that an alternative pilot is coming from Delhi and he will fly the aircraft to Pune.

The flight finally took off from Patna airport at 5 p.m.

New Delhi, Jan 15 (IANS) The IndiGo pilot, who was assaulted inside the aircraft by a passenger while making an announcement of a delay, has filed a complaint following which the Delhi Police registered an FIR.

The incident took place on Sunday inside the Goa-bound IndiGo flight from here.

A video of the altercation went viral on social media platforms, sparking outrage and condemnation from users.

The viral footage shows a passenger, identified as Sahil Kataria, wearing a yellow hoodie, running up to the aircraft's pilot and physically assaulting him in a fit of anger.

The incident occurred while the pilot was addressing passengers about the delay, attributed to Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms, leading to a crew change after prolonged delays.

The delay in the IndiGo flight (6E-2175) destined for Goa was reportedly due to heavy fog and traffic congestion at the airport.

As per sources, the assault took place on Sunday afternoon when tensions were running high among the passengers due to the extended wait for hours following traffic congestion owing to poor visibility.

According to police, Anup Kumar, the co-pilot of flight and security personnel came to the IGI police station and gave a complaint regarding one passenger, namely Sahil kataria, who had assaulted and misbehaved with the co-pilot on Sunday.

“He misbehaved in flight and hit the co-pilot and made a nuisance inside the aircraft. On the basis of complaint a case under sections 323, 341, 290 of The Indian Penal Code and 22 Aircraft rules has been registered and investigation taken up,” said a senior police official.

Ahmedabad : A new chapter in Ayodhya's pilgrimage and business journey unfolded on Thursday as Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath virtually launched IndiGo Airlines' direct flight service between Ahmedabad and the holy city. This marks a significant step in connecting Ayodhya to major metropolitan centers, boosting both religious tourism and economic prospects.

Bridging the Distance:

• Ahmedabad becomes the second city after Delhi to boast direct air connectivity with Ayodhya.
• Mumbai will join the network on January 15, followed by another Delhi flight on January 16.
• Chief Minister Adityanath hailed the enhanced air services as a boon for tourism and business activities, citing a 29.46% rise in air passenger traffic in the state within three years.

From Airstrip to International Hub:

• Ayodhya's transformation from a city with a small airstrip five years ago to its current status as home to the Maharishi Valmiki International Airport reflects the growing demand for travel to the holy site.
• The Chief Minister credited Prime Minister Modi's vision and the state government's efforts in providing excellent road, rail, and air connectivity to Ayodhya.
• He acknowledged the crucial role played by the Union Civil Aviation Ministry in constructing the world-class airport within a record 20 months.

IndiGo's Expanding Footprint:

• IndiGo Airlines emerged as a key player in connecting Uttar Pradesh to the national airways, operating flights from eight cities, including Lucknow, Gorakhpur, Varanasi, Kanpur, Agra, Prayagraj, Bareilly, and now Ayodhya.
• Special Director of IndiGo Airlines, RK Singh, announced plans to further expand the airline's presence in the state, assuring increased flight frequencies in the coming days.

A Celebration of Connections:

• Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia underscored the significance of the new flight, connecting the vibrant state of Gujarat with the spiritual essence of Ayodhya.
• He lauded Chief Minister Adityanath's vision for developing "Navya Ayodhya" and remarked on the record-breaking pace of airport construction.
• The program also witnessed the participation of Ayodhya MP Lallu Singh, MP Kirit Premjibhai Solanki, and representatives of IndiGo, marking a collective celebration of this crucial air link.

The Ahmedabad-Ayodhya flight service signifies a crucial step forward in Ayodhya's journey as a major pilgrimage and business center. With improved connectivity, the city is poised to welcome more devotees and entrepreneurs, propelling its development and solidifying its place on the map of India's spiritual and economic landscape.

New Delhi, Jan 9 (IANS) Days after reducing fuel charges, the IndiGo has increased charges for passengers seeking extra legroom in the front row of its aircraft.

According to the airline's website, passengers opting for window or aisle seats in the front row of an A321 aircraft, which typically accommodates 222 seats, will now incur a fee of Rs 2,000.

A slightly reduced charge of Rs 1,500 is applied for the aisle seat in the same row. Meanwhile, all seat types in the second and third rows have a flat rate of ₹400.

IndiGo emphasises that passengers not interested in purchasing a preferred seat can choose any available free seat or be assigned one at no additional cost during airport check-in.

These revised charges apply uniformly to A321 planes with 232 seats and A320 aircraft with 180 seats, as indicated on the airline's official website.

A response from IndiGo is awaited.

New Delhi, Dec 7 (IANS) A 32-year-old disability rights activist, paralysed from the waist down, took to social media to express her dismay and frustration after the cabin crew of IndiGo Airlines allegedly forgetting about her presence on a Delhi to Mumbai flight.

The activist, Virali Modi, who relies on a wheelchair for mobility, narrated her ordeal in a series of tweets on Tuesday.

According to her account, after all passengers had disembarked at Mumbai airport, the cabin crew appeared to have overlooked her on IndiGo Flight 6E-864.

It wasn't until the cleaning crew arrived that she had to inform them of her presence, leading to a 40-minute delay before an aisle wheelchair was provided for her to deplane.

"I couldn’t alert the cabin crew because the call button was out of reach, like on all of their flights," she noted in her tweet, expressing frustration over the lack of accessible amenities. She also highlighted that she had informed the airline that she required her wheelchair at the gate but was not provided with one.

Her troubles continued as she described the helper provided by IndiGo as negligent, pushing the aisle chair without proper care. Upon reaching the baggage claim, her personal wheelchair was missing, causing an additional 30-minute wait. The situation escalated when she discovered her wheelchair cushion, crucial for her comfort, was also missing.

The activist claimed that despite her efforts to seek assistance, the airline offered little support. In a phone call to IndiGo's customer care, she was allegedly kept on hold for 55 minutes before being told to send an email to report the issue. The lack of empathy and resolution from the airline left her feeling stranded and her independence compromised.

Her husband visited the IndiGo counter seeking resolution, but the airline allegedly downplayed the incident, directing them to the airport authorities for CCTV footage and even suggesting filing a police report.

In a scathing social media post, the activist accused IndiGo of prioritising profits over passenger needs, highlighting the challenges faced by disabled individuals during air travel. She emphasised the necessity for accessible facilities, especially during emergencies, and criticised the airline's alleged disregard for her specific needs.

As a motivational speaker and disability rights advocate, the activist claimed that the incident not only affected her personal well-being but also hindered her ability to work and earn a living.

IndiGo Airlines has officially released a press statement in this regard.

“With regard to the incident involving a passenger requiring wheelchair assistance on flight 6E 864 from Delhi to Mumbai, we sincerely apologise for the inconvenience faced. Our team is in touch with the customer and we are in the process of providing her with a replacement cushion on priority,” the airline said in a statement.

However, the said passenger had updated her tweet. 

Pune, Nov 27 (IANS) A woman flier was shocked to find the cushion missing from her seat when she travelled on a Pune-Nagpur flight.

The incident took place early on Sunday.

The Nagpur resident, Sagarika S. Patnaik had boarded the flight 6E-6798 in Pune and was allotted a window seat 10A, but when she went to occupy it, there was no cushion and only the grey metal frame stared at her.

Her husband Subrat vented his grievance on social media and also to some mediapersons, saying that she immediately raised the issue with the cabin crew who asked her to check below the seat, but it was not there.

Later, one crew member brought a cushion from some other seat for Sagarika’s seat, but he said that this was unexpected from an airline like IndiGo.

When contacted for their reactions here, the IndiGo’s official spokesperson said they would enquire and revert.

The incident sparked off a furore on social media with many slamming the airline for its attitude and blatant deficiency of service to the passengers.

Some people have even tagged Minister of Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia, DGCA and others demanding compensation for the woman passenger and action against the carrier.

Bhopal, Sep 19 (IANS) An passenger on IndiGo's Jabalpur-New Delhi flight on Monday allegedly suffered cardiac arrest and died onboard, officials said.

The incident occurred soon after the flight took off and it had to make an emergency landing back in Jabalpur.

As per the information, the deceased passenger has been identified as Rajendra Franquelin.

He had suffered the heart attack as soon as the flight took off. After being informed about the incident, the flight returned to Jabalpur.

A team of local area police reached the spot, took custody of the body, and sent it for post-mortem examination. Further investigation was underway, police said.

New Delhi, Sep 6 (IANS) After Air India, now IndiGo has offered a one-time waiver of applicable charges if passengers holding tickets from September 8 to 11 wish to change the date of travel or the flight due to enhanced security restrictions in the national capital in the wake of the upcoming G20 Summit.

“Due to the G20 Summit 2023 taking place in New Delhi, IndiGo is offering one-time waivers for passengers travelling to and from Delhi between September 8 to 11, 2023," the airline said in an official notification on Wednesday.

"Customers are being offered the option of rescheduling or cancelling their flights with refunds. Passengers have been notified about flight cancellations and to schedule changes in advance,” it added.

On Tuesday, Air India offered a one-time waiver of applicable charges to its passengers holding confirmed tickets to fly to or from Delhi between September 7 to 11, if they wish to change their date of travel or their flight.

With heightened regulations in place for the G20 Summit on September 9 and 10, traffic police have suggested that passengers planning to travel to the airport during this period are encouraged to utilise Metro services, particularly the Airport Express Line that connects New Delhi Station to Dwarka Sector 21 Station via IGI Airport Terminal-3.

New Delhi, Nagpur, Aug 22 (IANS) An IndiGo flight proceeding towards Ranchi from Mumbai had to make an unplanned stop in Nagpur due to a passenger's medical emergency.

The passenger, a 62-year-old man, was dealing with CKD and tuberculosis and unfortunately vomited blood during the flight on Monday night.

Aejaz Shami, the DGM of Branding and Communications at KIMS Hospital in Nagpur declared the passenger brought dead.

The body was subsequently transferred to the Government Medical College and Hospital for further procedures, said Shami.

The spokesperson of IndiGo said that the flight 6E 5093, operating from Mumbai to Ranchi was diverted to Nagpur due to a medical emergency on board.

"The passenger was offloaded and rushed to the hospital for further medical assistance. Unfortunately, the passenger did not survive. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones," the spokesperson added.