Chaotic scenes unfolded at various airports in India as over 100 flights of Indigo airlines were cancelled. Fed up by the abrupt cancellation of plethora of flights all at once, social media users took to X handle and started sharing videos outlining the chaos that has erupted on Airports.
A user shared a video and wrote, "Crazy scenes at Mumbai airport due to IndiGo flight delays"
Another user wrote, "@IndiGo6E continues to disappoint with delayed/cancelled flights. Scenes from Mumbai airport. Not a single top level representative at the scene to handle the situation. Shame on you, Indigo. People have decided to not let any Indigo flight take off till other passengers get some clarity."
As per reports, IndiGo has cancelled over 100 flights, including those from Bengaluru and Mumbai airports, on Wednesday, mainly due to crew shortages.
CNBC reported that IndiGo is facing pilot shortage triggered by the full rollout of stricter rest-and-duty norms from November 1. As per reports, 38 flights have been cancelled from Delhi Airport, 32 from Mumbai, 40 from Bengaluru, and 20 from Hyderabad till afternoon.
As per reports, 100 Indigo flights were cancelled on Tuesday as well.
However, IndiGo on Wednesday said that technology issues, airport congestion and operational requirements have caused several unavoidable delays and cancellations of flights.
The airline said its teams were working to stabilise operations and minimise inconvenience to passengers after a series of disruptions.
“We have had several unavoidable flight delays and some cancellations in the past few days due to various reasons including technology issues, airport congestion, and operational requirements,” IndiGo stated.
According to airport sources, 33 IndiGo flights were cancelled on Tuesday and Wednesday, affecting travellers on key domestic routes.
As per reports, DGCA has issued new rest-and-duty norms. In its latest guidelines, the aviation regulator said that all airlines must provide at least one hour of training every year on how tiredness affects pilots and cabin crew.
Reports further suggest that the norms direct the airlines need to train on how to reduce or prevent fatigue, how lifestyle, food, exercise, and family life affect rest, and provide information on sleep disorders, effects of long flights and many short flights, and effects of flying across time zones.
The training can also include people like flight schedulers and dispatch teams, since they help plan crew duties.
The DGCA has also asked airlines to release a clear fatigue reporting policy to all staff, create an independent Fatigue Review Committee to study reports and suggest solutions.
With inputs: IANS
