AW Featured: Indian Aviation Crisis

“The skies have gone quieter than usual”—a statement that might not capture the true scale of the situation, but it was clearly the feeling for the thousands of passengers who were stranded over the past few days. 

The 2025 aviation crisis in India is one of the most severe disruptions the market has ever seen. 

Unlike the COVID-19 pandemic, when travelers could replan their journeys without major difficulties, this time cancellations were abrupt and widespread. Passengers were left in limbo, often facing domestic flight prices that rivaled international fares.

Data analysis reveals that IndiGo, India’s market leader, has been impacted the hardest. While Air India and Akasa Air were affected, their disruptions were comparatively limited, highlighting a concentration risk in the market.

This crisis is not the result of a single factor; multiple issues converged simultaneously:

1. Update on the Rest Hours for Pilots: The DGCA mandated an additional 12 hours of weekly rest for pilots. While initially seen as a shock, the industry had nearly two years’ notice—from January 2024 to November 2025—to hire additional pilots or adjust schedules. The law’s intent is clearly sound; to improve safety and prevent pilot fatigue—but implementation revealed gaps in planning.
   
   

2. Night Landing Restrictions: The number of allowable night landings per pilot decreased from 6 to 2. While countries in the West conduct few night flights, India operates numerous domestic night services. This restriction limited scheduling flexibility, adding pressure to already tight rosters.
   
   

3. Other Factors: Apart from these, many other factors do also play a role such as some aircraft being grounded that limit the airlines capacity and the effective duopoly of IndiGo & Air India meaning their services being affected create a cascade across the network. However such factors existed even before the new laws passed by the government. 

1. Airlines: The airlines bear the largest responsibility. This crisis is not merely unfortunate—it can be described as partly “manufactured.” IndiGo, the hardest hit, did not hire enough pilots to meet the new rest law requirements, while Air India added approximately 200 pilots, softening the blow.
   
   A hiring freeze during this period signals a lack of strategic foresight. While the new law reduced operational capacity, it should not have caused thousands of flight cancellations. This decision meant that when this crisis unfolded, Air India was able to shield itself from major disruption and losses.

2. Government: The DGCA implemented the law with ample notice, aiming to enhance pilot safety. However, IndiGo’s non-compliance on-time forced the DGCA to grant a temporary extension until February 2026 to stabilize operations.
   
   While the extension may appear controversial, it reflects the government’s balancing act between regulatory objectives and market realities. The Government however did not have any follow ups with the airlines on whether the progress is being made on the compliance efforts.

3. Others: Airports, third-party aviation services, and passengers cannot be held responsible. Yet, they face the immediate consequences—long queues, stranded travelers, and operational stress.

The crisis requires coordinated effort from all stakeholders:

1. Airlines: IndiGo and others must resume as many flights as possible, avoiding opportunistic fare hikes. Partial schedules are far preferable to complete shutdowns, and effective crew management is essential.

2. Government: While maintaining safety priorities, authorities should continue to support recovery through temporary measures and guidance. Balancing safety compliance with operational viability is critical.

3. Railways and Buses: Alternative transport is playing a vital role. Indian Railways has added trains and coaches, mitigating the impact on stranded passengers. Bus operators, too, can fill critical gaps. A few extra services can dramatically relieve overcrowded airports.

4. Passengers: Travelers should explore multiple options. Non-urgent travel may be postponed until after New Year, giving airlines time to stabilize. For urgent travel, trains and buses remain reliable alternatives. Flights should be a last resort, with passengers monitoring fare adjustments and schedules over several days.

The 2025 aviation crisis highlights systemic vulnerabilities in India’s air travel sector: high market concentration, limited crew flexibility, and reactive planning.

While laws like the pilot rest requirement are necessary for long-term safety, proactive compliance and strategic workforce management could have prevented the current disruption. The recovery path requires cooperation, planning, and patience from airlines, regulators, transport services, and passengers alike.

Ultimately, this crisis is both a warning and an opportunity for the market players: a chance for Indian aviation to reassess capacity planning, competition, and resilience, ensuring that future disruptions do not leave thousands stranded.