For years, IndiGo has been the backbone of Indian aviation—reliable, punctual, and dominant. But the first week of December 2025 shattered that reputation in spectacular fashion. What started as "operational reasons" quickly spiraled into a national emergency, leaving thousands stranded, weddings ruined, and airport terminals turning into battlegrounds. As of this Sunday morning (December 7, 2025), the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken the unprecedented step of issuing a show-cause notice to the airline's CEO, Pieter Elbers. How did India’s most profitable airline crash so hard, so fast? Here are the Top 10 Critical Matters that define this crisis, from its regulatory roots to its chaotic conclusion. 1. The Trigger: The New FDTL Rules The chaos didn't happen in a vacuum. The root cause lies in the new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms mandated by the DGCA. The Rule: Implemented fully on November 1, 2025, these rules were designed to combat pilot fatigue by increasing weekly rest periods to 48 hours and strictly limiting night landings to just two per week (down from six). The Failure: While safety is paramount, IndiGo seemingly failed to prepare. The airline required hundreds of new pilots to maintain its schedule under these stricter rules but didn't hire them in time, leading to a massive roster gap. Comparing old vs. new FDTL rules, highlighting the change from 6 night landings. 2. The Scale of the Collapse: 2,000+ Flights Grounded What began as minor turbulence on December 1 turned into a hurricane by December 5. The Numbers: Over a span of just five days, IndiGo cancelled more than 2,100 flights across major hubs like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. Peak Chaos: On December 6 alone, 106 flights were scrapped in Delhi and 109 in Mumbai, effectively paralyzing the domestic network. 3. The "Wedding Season" Disaster The timing could not have been worse. The disruption coincided with India’s peak winter wedding season. Real-World Impact: Social media was flooded with stories of families missing rituals and grooms stuck at airports. One viral incident involved a defense officer whose flight to his father's funeral was diverted, taking 8 hours to reach Mumbai. Economic Cost: With last-minute fares surging to ₹80,000 for Delhi-Bengaluru, many travelers were simply priced out of reaching their destinations. 4. Airport Violence and Staff Safety As frustration mounted, the frontline bore the brunt. Assaults: Reports confirmed that ground staff—who had no information to give—were physically assaulted. At Mumbai airport, a cleaner was slapped by a passenger, and a security manager was hit in the departure area. Safety Concerns: The situation became so volatile that staff had to call in the CISF to manage angry mobs blocking boarding gates. Flights Cancelled 5. Management Paralysis The crisis exposed a shocking lack of contingency planning. No Communication: Passengers reported receiving cancellation texts after reaching the airport or, in some cases, after boarding the plane. The Shortage: Documents reviewed by the media revealed IndiGo was short by nearly 1,000 pilots required to meet the new night-flight limits. Experts pointed out that this wasn't a surprise; the airline had a two-year window to prepare but seemingly prioritized aggressive scheduling over staffing. 6. The Financial Blow: Refunds & Stock The economic fallout for the airline is severe. Refunds: Forced by the Ministry, IndiGo has promised a "full waiver" on cancellation charges and automatic refunds for bookings between Dec 5-15. Stock Market: The airline's stock took a hit as investors reacted to the operational meltdown and the looming regulatory penalties. 7. Government Intervention: Capping the Surge When the market failed, the government stepped in. Fare Caps: The Ministry of Civil Aviation announced a temporary cap on airfares to prevent predatory pricing during the crisis. Special Trains: In a rare move, the Indian Railways announced special trains (Western and East Coast lines) specifically to rescue passengers stranded by the airline's collapse. A capped airfare graph and a special Indian Railways train. 8. The Show Cause Notice to the CEO The crisis reached its climax on Saturday, December 6. Direct Accountability: The DGCA issued a show-cause notice directly to IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers. The Charge: The regulator stated the airline failed in its duty to ensure reliable operations and termed it a "significant lapse in planning and oversight". Elbers was given 24 hours to explain why enforcement action should not be taken against him personally. 9. The Temporary "Fix" To stop the bleeding, the regulator blinked. Relaxation: On December 5, the DGCA granted IndiGo a temporary exemption from specific provisions of the new FDTL rules, allowing them to revert to older pilot rostering norms to stabilize the network. Criticism: This move was slammed by pilot unions, who argued that safety was being compromi