Even though Indian airline Indigo has canceled hundreds of flights, UAE travelers will face minimal disruption, experts say. However, some are reconsidering their travel plans due to the current situation.
“None of Indigo’s international flights have been affected,” stated Mohammed Safeer, General Manager of Smart Travels. “We contacted Indigo this morning, and they assured us that international flights are operating as scheduled.”
Raheesh Babu, COO of Musafir.com, shared similar sentiments. “Several passengers have traveled to India on Indigo flights recently,” he said. “So far, we haven’t encountered any international flight delays. All have departed and arrived on time, except for a Dubai-Calicut flight delayed on Wednesday due to a pilot’s illness.”
Stay informed with the latest updates. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
Recently, Indigo has canceled numerous flights within India, largely due to new Flight Duty Time Limitations imposed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. These rules require pilots to have 48 hours of rest weekly and limit night landings to two per week, down from six, following rising pilot fatigue reports.
Indigo attributed the disruptions to “various unforeseen operational challenges,” including technology issues, adverse weather, and increased air traffic congestion. Rethinking plans, Annu Joseph, planning a trip to Kerala for a wedding, is now considering alternatives. “Direct flights are pricey in December,” she explained.
“I planned to fly to Bangalore, visit family, then take a domestic flight to Kerala. But with cancellations, I’m reconsidering. With only three days off, I can’t waste time. I might pay extra for a direct flight to Kerala or take a train from Bangalore. I’ll decide in a few days.”
Raheesh noted some complaints about domestic flight delays. “One couple reported a four-hour delay on their Mumbai-Rajkot flight,” he mentioned.
“That’s the only delay report from our clients. International travelers remain largely unaffected. Given domestic travel uncertainties, we advise clients to book direct flights rather than connections.”
Resolution
Despite the cancellations, travel experts are optimistic about a quick resolution. “Indigo is managing the situation well,” said Praveen Chowdhury of Saffron Travels and Tourism.
“Compared to other Indian airlines, they’ve been proactive and diligent. I believe the impact won’t extend beyond this week.”
Raheesh added that Indigo has swiftly handled similar past situations. “They once faced a mass pilot migration, yet managed effectively,” he recalled. “I’m confident they’ll resolve this quickly. It’s unfortunate they face these issues during peak travel times.”
Indigo announced plans to recalibrate flights over 48 hours to minimize disruptions and stabilize schedules.
