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passenger refunds

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

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 […]

Washington, D.C, United States: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued an emergency order mandating a temporary 10 percent reduction in flight operations at 40 of the nation’s busiest airports. The move, announced by U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford, is aimed at maintaining safety across the national airspace system as the government shutdown enters its second month. FAA Cites Safety Strain, Staffing Pressures Since the shutdown began, thousands of air traffic controllers have worked without pay, triggering severe staffing shortages and operational stress across major hubs. The FAA said it recorded 2,740 delays over the past weekend alone, reflecting growing pressure on the system. “My department has many responsibilities, but our number one job is safety. This isn’t about politics – it’s about assessing the data and alleviating building risk in the system as controllers continue to work without pay,” Secretary Duffy said. “It’s safe to fly today, and it will continue to be safe to fly next week because of the proactive actions we are taking.” Administrator Bedford added, “We are seeing signs of stress in the system, so we are proactively reducing the number of flights to make sure the American people continue to fly safely. The FAA will continue to closely monitor operations and will not hesitate to take further action to make sure air travel remains safe.” Summary of the FAA Emergency Order According to the directive: A 4% reduction in domestic operations takes effect Friday, Nov 7, ramping up to 6% by Nov 11, 8% by Nov 13, and 10% by Nov 14. International flights are exempt, allowing airlines discretion to decide which routes to reduce. Airlines must issue full refunds for canceled flights, though they are not required to cover secondary costs, consistent with federal policy for government-related disruptions. The FAA also temporarily: Prohibits visual flight rule (VFR) approaches at affected facilities with staffing triggers. Limits commercial space launches and reentries to the hours of 10 p.m.–6 a.m. local time. Suspends parachute operations and aerial photography missions near impacted facilities. The agency said the measures were guided by safety data and voluntary reports from pilots and controllers showing mounting fatigue and system stress. Impact on Travelers Officials emphasized that the airspace remains safe but acknowledged the steps are preventive and temporary. Airlines are adjusting schedules to comply with the phased reductions, focusing cancellations during peak domestic hours. The FAA said any expansion or rollback of the cuts will be driven by real-time safety data. Official List of Affected Airports ANC – Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport ATL – Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport BOS – Boston Logan International Airport BWI – Baltimore/Washington International Airport CLT – Charlotte Douglas International Airport CVG – Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport DAL – Dallas Love Field DCA – Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport DEN – Denver International Airport DFW – Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport DTW – Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport EWR – Newark Liberty International Airport FLL – Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport HNL – Honolulu International Airport HOU – William P. Hobby Airport IAD – Washington Dulles International Airport IAH – George Bush Houston Intercontinental Airport IND – Indianapolis International Airport JFK – New York John F. Kennedy International Airport LAS – Las Vegas McCarran International Airport LAX – Los Angeles International Airport LGA – New York LaGuardia Airport MCO – Orlando International Airport MDW – Chicago Midway International Airport MEM – Memphis International Airport MIA – Miami International Airport MSP – Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport OAK – Oakland International Airport ONT – Ontario International Airport ORD – Chicago O’Hare International Airport PDX – Portland International Airport PHL – Philadelphia International Airport PHX – Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport SAN – San Diego International Airport SDF – Louisville International Airport SEA – Seattle–Tacoma International Airport SFO – San Francisco International Airport SLC – Salt Lake City International Airport TEB – Teterboro Airport TPA – Tampa International Airport Looking Ahead The FAA said it will continue to review safety metrics daily to determine whether further cuts or operational adjustments are needed. “Safety reporting is showing us where the stress points are,” the agency said. “This order will remain in effect only as long as necessary to maintain system stability.” Passengers traveling through the affected airports are urged to monitor airline communications for updated flight schedules and potential waivers.

Airlines

FAA Imposes 10% Flight Reduction at Major 40 U.S. Airports as Shutdown Deepens

Aviation Today News Desk / November 7, 2025

Washington, D.C, United States: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued an emergency order mandating a temporary 10 percent reduction

London, United Kingdom: UK regional carrier Eastern Airways has suspended all flight operations and filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators, marking another major setback for Britain’s struggling regional aviation sector. The airline, which operated key domestic routes connecting smaller UK cities and remote regions, grounded its fleet on October 27 as financial pressures reached a critical point, the move temporarily shields Eastern Airways from creditors for up to 10 business days while it seeks potential rescue options or buyers. “We deeply regret the impact this suspension has on our passengers and employees,” an Eastern Airways spokesperson said in a brief statement, confirming that all scheduled flights have been cancelled until further notice. The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has urged passengers not to travel to airports, stating that anyone with bookings should contact their credit or debit card providers for refunds or chargebacks. The airline was founded in 1997 and based at Humberside Airport, Eastern Airways is a UK regional airline that built its reputation connecting smaller cities and remote regions through vital domestic routes. Initially serving the oil and gas sector between Humberside and Aberdeen, it expanded after acquiring Air Kilroe in 1999 and later came under the ownership of the Bristow Group in 2014. Operating turboprop aircraft like the BAe Jetstream 41, Eastern provided both scheduled and charter services, including Public Service Obligation (PSO) routes crucial for regional connectivity. Despite carrying about 1.3 million passengers annually, the airline faced mounting losses, reporting a £19.7 million deficit and £26 million debt in 2024. On October 27, 2025, Eastern Airways suspended all flights and filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators, citing rising costs and prolonged post-pandemic financial strain. The airline’s network of regional routes including Aberdeen, Humberside, Teesside, Newquay, and Southampton was vital for connectivity in areas underserved by rail or road. Several of these services were operated under Public Service Obligation (PSO) contracts, meaning their suspension could severely affect regional accessibility, especially in northern England and Scotland. The Eastern had already returned multiple aircraft to lessors and halted new ticket sales in the days leading up to the filing. Employees have been informed of the company’s deteriorating position, and industry observers warn that hundreds of jobs are now at risk. The company’s grounding echoes recent struggles across the UK’s regional aviation market, with carriers facing surging fuel costs, higher lease payments, and limited government support.

Airlines

After 27 Years, UK’s Eastern Airways Abruptly Halts Operations and Suspends All Flights

Aviation Today News Desk / October 28, 2025

London, United Kingdom: UK regional carrier Eastern Airways has suspended all flight operations and filed a notice of intention to

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