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The Indian air travel sector is currently experiencing significant disruption. This is primarily due to the new FDTL (Flight Duty Time Limitation) rules for pilots, which have caused several airlines to struggle with managing their flight schedules. The FDTL rules came into effect in November, and this is the first month that airlines are operating under these new regulations. The combination of the winter schedule, pilot shortages, and technical delays has significantly impacted flight operations. So, if you are flying with IndiGo, here's how you can check your flight status online.

India's largest airline, IndiGo, canceled more than 550 international and domestic flights on Thursday (December 5). This is the highest number of flights canceled by IndiGo in a single day in 20 years. Approximately 172 flights were canceled at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in New Delhi, 118 at Mumbai Airport, 100 in Bengaluru, 75 in Hyderabad, 35 in Kolkata, 26 in Chennai, and 11 in Goa. Several other flights were also canceled at other airports.

IndiGo, which was known for its punctuality, appears to be the most affected. Its on-time performance has dropped to just 35%. Passengers are facing long queues at major airports like Mumbai and Bengaluru. Amidst the increasing demand for air travel, the new duty rules for pilots have become a major topic of discussion across the country. If you are also flying with IndiGo, be sure to check your flight status before heading to the airport using the following method:

How to check IndiGo flight status online? First, go to Google and type "Indigo flight status".

Now open the Indigo flight status website or app (https://www.goindigo.in/check-flight-status.html)
Enter the flight number or PNR in the search option.
Select departure or arrival and select the date of travel.
Click on 'Search Flight' where you can see the live status of your Indigo flight.

What are FDTL rules?
New rules have been implemented considering the overtime and long working hours of pilots and crew members. FDTL rules determine how long a pilot can be on duty, how many hours they can fly, and the minimum rest they should get between two duties. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) updated these rules in January 2024 based on international standards and fatigue-related data to reduce safety risks during flights.
The main changes under the new rules are as follows:

Mandatory continuous rest of 48 hours every week
Night duty hours increased from 00:00-05:00 to 00:00-06:00
Night landing limit reduced from 6 to 2
Maximum limit of two consecutive night duties
Quarterly reporting of fatigue-related data and subsequent changes in the roster based on it

Why are these rules back in the news?
As airlines comply with the new rules, these pilot rest rules are directly impacting their operations. Due to the rules, airlines need more pilots or have to redesign their schedules. This is causing cancellations, delays, and increased operational costs in the short term. This is why this issue is in the spotlight.

Why are fatigue-related rules important?
Pilot fatigue is a major challenge in the global aviation industry. Early morning flights and late-night duties put extra pressure on pilots. India's new rules are in line with international standards. These rules were implemented to ensure pilots get adequate rest and that flight safety is maintained. However, it won't be easy for airlines to adapt to these regulations so quickly.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from Amar Ujala. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.