The disruptions stem from an acute shortage of pilots and cabin crew after the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) implemented the second phase of revised Flight Duty Time Limitations on 1 November. The new rules, aimed at ensuring adequate rest for crew members, have forced airlines to curtail operations while adjusting rosters.
At Indore’s Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport, passengers arrived for scheduled departures only to find flights cancelled. Many were offered refunds or rescheduled options starting Monday, leaving no immediate alternative. Several travellers missed weddings, job interviews, and visa appointments, while others were compelled to book last-minute seats at exorbitant fares.
Archana Gureja, travelling to Goa for a family function, said even her rescheduled connecting flight was cancelled, leaving her stuck in Indore while relatives continued by road. Another passenger, Riddhi from Mumbai, said fares for available flights had surged to four to five times the usual prices, with some Indore–Delhi tickets touching ₹36,000.
The cancellations also derailed international travel plans. A woman headed to Chennai for a US visa interview missed her appointment after her flight was withdrawn an hour before departure. Travellers attempting to switch to trains faced fully booked routes, compounding the crisis.
The hospitality sector reported a ripple effect as weddings and events saw last-minute disruptions. Sumit Suri, chair of the MP chapter of the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India, said hotels struggled to manage sudden changes in guest arrivals.
Travel industry representatives warned that packed flights and steep fares would continue until airlines stabilise crew availability. Many passengers, they said, have already suffered significant financial losses due to missed connections and cancelled bookings.
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