IndiGo, India's largest airline, has ramped up its pilot-to-aircraft ratios and introduced a crew buffer to brace for the end of a temporary exemption on pilot rest periods mandated by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The move comes as stricter Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms fully resume today, aiming to prevent a repeat of last December's widespread flight disruptions.

The airline has lifted its crew buffer from near zero during the crisis to about 3% now, providing extra pilots for unexpected needs like illness or delays. It has also boosted the pilot-to-aircraft ratio to around 7.2 crew sets per plane—up from under six sets previously—translating to roughly 2,520 captains and an equal number of first officers for its 350-aircraft fleet. These changes include a 15% standby crew pool and a hiring plan adding 100 trainee first officers last month, with 20 pilots and 75 first officers slated for training in coming months to offset attrition.

The DGCA had relaxed FDTL rules—covering weekly rest, night duties, and max duty hours—for IndiGo in December amid over 5,000 cancellations, delays, and a ₹22.2 crore penalty. The waiver allowed time to rebuild rosters, but enforcement returns today to prioritize pilot fatigue reduction and safety.

Aviation Ministry officials report January cancellations stemmed more from weather than crew shortages, with close monitoring ongoing. Pilot groups note 7+ crew sets per A320 should cover operations smoothly, signaling fewer disruptions at major hubs like Delhi and Mumbai if plans hold. Industry watchers see this as a lesson for carriers: proactive crew planning is key amid growth and regulations. IndiGo passengers can expect stabler schedules under the renewed rules.