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New Delhi, India: In a decisive move to tackle widespread flight cancellations by IndiGo, the Ministry of Civil Aviation announced on 5th December, 2025 that certain Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) enforced by the DGCA have been placed in abeyance with immediate effect. The temporary suspension aims to restore airline operations, relieve passenger distress, and maintain safety standards. IndiGo, India’s largest domestic carrier, cancelled over 1,000 flights across its network over the past five days, affecting major airports including Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi, and Hyderabad. On Friday, 5 December, nearly 400 flights were cancelled in a single day, disrupting travel for thousands of passengers. Previously, media reports estimated that cumulative cancellations during the multi-day disruption crossed the 550 flight mark nationwide. The airline’s on-time performance (OTP) fell sharply to 8.5%, 19.7% on Wednesday, 35% of the IndiGo flights operated on time on Tuesday, down from 67.7% in November 2025 before FDTL enforcement. The disruption was triggered by DGCA’s revised Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms, aimed at reducing pilot fatigue and enhancing safety. The stricter Phase 2, effective from 1 November 2025, mandates 48 hours of weekly rest, limits consecutive night duties, and caps night landings and duty extensions The official PIB statement highlighted that the abeyance of FDTL rules is “urgent and proactive” and undertaken “solely in the interest of passengers,” particularly seniors, students, patients, and travellers dependent on timely air services. The government has mandated: Immediate restoration of flight schedules, with normal operations expected within three days. Airlines provide real-time updates, automatic refunds for cancellations, hotel accommodation for stranded passengers, and special assistance for senior citizens and persons with disabilities. A 24×7 control room to monitor airline operations and coordinate corrective measures. A high-level inquiry to examine the causes of the disruption, determine accountability, and recommend preventive measures. While safety-driven, these rules exposed gaps in crew availability, particularly for an airline of IndiGo’s scale. The airline had notified regulators about challenges in roster planning and pilot availability, prompting the government’s intervention. What the Abeyance Means The abeyance is temporary and does not repeal FDTL rules; safety remains a priority. Airlines are expected to take operational measures, including flexible crew rostering, to restore service reliability without compromising pilot rest and safety standards. DGCA will conduct ongoing reviews to ensure compliance and implement corrective actions. Passengers affected between 3–6 December 2025 are eligible for full refunds or rescheduling. The government has assured that all necessary measures are being taken to prioritise passenger safety, care, and convenience during the temporary relaxation.

DGCA Eases FDTL Rules Temporarily After IndiGo Cancels Over 1,000 Flights In Five Days

Aviation Today News Desk / December 6, 2025

New Delhi, India: In a decisive move to tackle widespread flight cancellations by IndiGo, the Ministry of Civil Aviation announced […]

New Delhi, India: India’s aviation industry is bracing for a difficult FY2026, with ICRA estimating sector-wide losses to climb to Rs 95–105 billion, almost double the Rs 55 billion loss expected in FY2025. Softening passenger growth, upcoming fleet inductions and ongoing global and domestic disruptions are set to pressure financial performance. Even so, ICRA has maintained a stable outlook for the year, supported by steady travel demand, though influenced by cross-border tensions, accident-related caution and tariff-linked challenges on the commercial side. Domestic passenger traffic in October 2025 reached 142.8 lakh, up 4.5% from October 2024 and 12.9% higher than September 2025. Capacity deployment grew 1.7% year-on-year to 99,816 departures, with passenger load factor rising to 84.7%, compared with 82.4% a year earlier. For April–October 2025, domestic traffic stood at 944.5 lakh, a 1.6% year-on-year increase. ICRA expects full-year FY2026 domestic travel to grow 4–6%, reaching 172–176 million passengers. International traffic carried by Indian airlines rose 5.8% year-on-year in September 2025, touching 28.3 lakh, though sequentially down by 5.7%. In H1 FY2026, international traffic reached 175.6 lakh, marking 9.1% growth. ICRA projects further expansion of 13–15% in FY2026. Aviation turbine fuel (ATF) remains a key cost concern. ATF prices in November 2025 were 4.4% higher year-on-year and 0.8% higher month-on-month. FY2025 had seen average ATF prices fall to Rs 95,181 per KL, about 8% lower year-on-year, but recent months have reversed that relief. Fuel constitutes 30–40% of airline operating expenses, while 35–50% of major costs are dollar-linked. The rupee’s depreciation in Q2 FY2026 led to notable forex losses for several carriers, though most remain unrealised. Fleet shortages persist. Pratt & Whitney engine problems and broader supply-chain delays resulted in around 133 aircraft being grounded across various airlines by March 2025, representing 15–17% of total industry capacity. IndiGo had 70 aircraft grounded in March 2024 due to powder-metal contamination, which reduced to about 40 by September 2025. Go Airlines, hit by similar issues, eventually grounded half its fleet in FY2024 and suspended operations. These constraints have increased operating costs through replacement leases, poorer fuel efficiency and higher spot-rental rates. Despite strong PLFs and firmer yields, profitability remains limited. The industry’s interest coverage ratio is expected to remain at 1.5–1.7 times for FY2026. Large carriers benefit from parent backing, while others continue to face liquidity stress and stretched balance sheets. The DGCA has proposed new passenger-centric norms allowing customers to cancel or modify tickets within 48 hours of booking without charges, provided the travel date is beyond five days (domestic) or fifteen days (international). Refunds are to be processed within 21 working days.

Aviation Forecast

ICRA Warns Of Rs 105 Billion Loss For Indian Aviation In FY2026 Amid Slowing Growth

Aviation Today News Desk / November 21, 2025

New Delhi, India: India’s aviation industry is bracing for a difficult FY2026, with ICRA estimating sector-wide losses to climb to

Auckland, New Zealand: On October 14, 2025, Air New Zealand Flight NZ5095, a regional ATR turboprop aircraft, was forced to return to Auckland approximately 40 minutes into its flight to Taupō. Pilots received a system alert indicating a potential technical issue, prompting a precautionary return to base for engineering inspection. The aircraft landed safely at Auckland Airport at around 5:35 PM local time, without declaring an emergency. No injuries were reported among passengers or crew. Following the return, the aircraft underwent a full inspection by engineering teams. While the exact nature of the system alert was not disclosed, Air New Zealand confirmed that the decision to return was in line with standard safety procedures. Affected passengers were rebooked on the next available flights to Taupō, and the airline provided necessary assistance to minimize disruption. This incident follows a similar occurrence on October 5, 2025, when Flight NZ3, a Boeing 777-300ER operating from Los Angeles to Auckland, returned to Los Angeles shortly after takeoff due to an electrical fault affecting the aircraft's power distribution system. Passengers experienced rising cabin temperatures and a temporary loss of in-flight entertainment. The aircraft landed safely, and engineers conducted an extensive inspection before clearing it for future operations. Air New Zealand emphasized that these precautionary returns reflect the airline's commitment to passenger safety and adherence to standard safety protocols. The airline's Chief Operating Officer, Alex Marren, stated, "All actions taken were consistent with standard safety procedures," and reiterated that passenger safety remains the airline's top priority.

Air New Zealand Flight NZ5095 Returns To Auckland Safely After Mid-Flight System Alert

Aviation Today News Desk / October 16, 2025

Auckland, New Zealand: On October 14, 2025, Air New Zealand Flight NZ5095, a regional ATR turboprop aircraft, was forced to

New Delhi, India: ICRA has revised its domestic air passenger growth projection for FY26 to 4–6%, down from the previous estimate of 7–10%. This adjustment follows a modest 0.3% year-on-year increase in passenger traffic to 13.17 million in August 2025. The revised forecast anticipates a total of 172–176 million domestic passengers for the fiscal year, compared to 165.4 million in FY25. International air traffic growth estimates have also been reduced to 13–15% for FY26, from the earlier projection of 15–20%. Factors contributing to this downgrade include geopolitical tensions affecting flight operations, decreased travel confidence following a recent aircraft accident, and global trade challenges such as the impact of U.S. tariffs. Consequently, ICRA projects the aviation sector's net losses to widen to ₹9,500–10,500 crore in FY26, up from ₹5,500 crore in FY25. This increase is attributed to slower passenger growth amid rising aircraft deliveries and operational hurdles. Industry capacity also declined, with capacity deployment in August 2025 dropping 5.8% compared to the same month last year. Supply chain disruptions and engine issues, particularly involving Pratt & Whitney engines, have led to approximately 133 aircraft being grounded as of March 31, 2025, accounting for 15–17% of the total industry fleet. Despite a decrease in aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices, cost pressures persist due to the dollar-denominated nature of key operating expenses, including fuel, aircraft leases, and maintenance. These factors continue to impact airlines' profitability. ICRA notes that while some carriers benefit from strong parental support and adequate liquidity, others may face challenges in maintaining credit metrics and liquidity profiles in the near term.

ICRA Slashes India’s FY26 Air Passenger Growth Forecast to 4–6%, Warns of Losses

Aviation Today News Desk / October 4, 2025

New Delhi, India: ICRA has revised its domestic air passenger growth projection for FY26 to 4–6%, down from the previous

Switzerland: Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu announced plans to develop 50 new airports across India and establish Delhi as a major international aviation hub within the next five years. The minister shared this update while speaking to ANI on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos | Aviation Today

India Aims to Build 50 Airports and Make Delhi a Global Aviation Hub by 2027: Announces Civil Aviation Minister

Aviation Today News Desk / January 27, 2025

Image credit: ANI Switzerland: Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu announced plans to develop 50 new airports across India

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