IndiGo's 2,000-Flight Schedule Under Threat as Pilot Duty Exemption Ends

• IndiGo faces a critical decision this week on maintaining its 2,000 daily flights as its pilot duty rule exemption expires on February 10.
• New flight duty time limitation (FDTL) rules significantly increase pilot requirements, potentially forcing capacity cuts.
• Authorities may mandate flight reductions to prevent a repeat of December's large-scale disruptions, which led to a Rs 22.2 crore fine on IndiGo.
• IndiGo has been meeting with DGCA, sharing pilot hiring plans, and conducting trial runs to align crew strength with flight schedules.
• The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) criticized the DGCA's fine as inadequate and questioned the regulator's handling of the widespread disruptions.

Why It Matters: IndiGo must adapt its flight operations to new pilot duty rules or face mandated capacity cuts.