Bengaluru airport confirmed 73 IndiGo flights were cancelled on December 4. On December 3, over 150 flights were cancelled nationwide, with many others delayed, stranding thousands of passengers. The Airline Pilots’ Association of India (ALPA India) expressed concern on December 3 about these cancellations. They said the problem shows the need for the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to check if there are enough pilots when approving flight schedules under the Fatigue Risk Management System (FRMS). ALPA India said, “The situation concerning the recent flight cancellations across India, allegedly attributed to pilot shortage due to new Flight Duty Time Limit (FDTL) norms, raises significant questions about the airline’s management, regulatory oversight by the DGCA, and market fairness.” They added, “The core question is whether airlines’ current pilot shortage is due to a failure in planning or a calculated strategy. It is more likely a combination of factors... This situation points to a failure of proactive resource planning by dominant airlines, potentially exacerbated by an effort to pressurise the regulator to dilute the promulgated FDTL norms for commercial gain.” The pilots urged the DGCA to consider pilot availability when giving flight slots and approving schedules, saying, “ALPA India urges the DGCA to actively consider the adequacy of pilots available with an airline while granting slots and approving their schedules in the spirit of transitioning to the recent concept of Fatigue Risk Management System (FRMS).” IndiGo responded on December 3, saying the delays and cancellations were due to “various reasons including technology issues, airport congestion, and operational requirements.” They said, “Our teams are working diligently to ensure that operations normalise as soon as possible. Furthermore, we are offering alternate flight options or refunds to affected customers, as applicable. We regret the inconvenience caused to our valued customers due to these disruptions.” Meanwhile, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad also faced disruptions on December 2 due to low visibility and other issues. Airports have advised passengers to check real-time updates with their airlines.