IndiGo shares jump as airline complies with pilot duty rules
What's the story
IndiGo, India's largest airline, has announced its full compliance with the updated Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) regulations. The announcement came after the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) granted a temporary exemption till February 10, 2026. Following the news, IndiGo's shares witnessed a jump of over 1.5% to ₹5,030 apiece in today's session.
Regulation details
Revised FDTL rules
The revised FDTL rules, introduced in November 2025, aim to provide pilots with more rest time and reduce night landings. Under the new guidelines, pilots now get 48 hours of rest per week instead of the previous 36 hours. The changes are aimed at improving flight safety and ensuring a healthier work schedule for pilots.
Compliance hurdles
Over 5,500 flight cancellations in December
IndiGo encountered difficulties in adapting to the new FDTL rules, resulting in over 5,500 flight cancellations in December. A DGCA probe attributed these disruptions to operational deficiencies, over-optimisation of crew and aircraft utilization, inadequate regulatory preparedness, shortcomings in system/software support and reduced buffer margins. Despite the challenges, IndiGo has now expanded its pilot team beyond required numbers and a government review found the airline on track with compliance efforts.