New Delhi, Dec 3 (NationPress) IndiGo has had to cancel numerous flights on Wednesday, affecting key destinations such as Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru airports, primarily due to a lack of available crew, as reported by sources.

Sources indicate that the airline is grappling with a significant crew shortage attributed to the rollout of the second phase of Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL), which has left aircraft stranded at various airports nationwide, disrupting travel plans for many passengers.

While some cancellations occurred on Tuesday, the situation deteriorated further on Wednesday.

IndiGo acknowledged the flight cancellations and delays, but stated that in addition to operational demands, technical issues and airport congestion have also played a role in the disruptions.

Reports indicate that around 40 flights were canceled at the Delhi airport, causing significant chaos and confusion among travelers.

Approximately 30 IndiGo flights were canceled at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, leaving many passengers stranded.

The airport authorities explained, "IndiGo flights at RGIA have been affected due to airline-related technology and operational challenges, leading to delays and cancellations. Operations at RGIA are normal, and we encourage passengers to reach out to IndiGo’s customer support for the latest flight status updates."

IndiGo expressed in a statement: "We recognize that our operations have been severely disrupted across the network over the past two days, and we sincerely apologize to our customers for the inconvenience this has caused."

A range of unexpected operational issues, including minor technical glitches, seasonal schedule adjustments, adverse weather, heightened congestion in the aviation sector, and the introduction of revised crew rostering regulations (Flight Duty Time Limitations), have collectively impacted our operations in ways that were difficult to foresee, stated the airline.

To mitigate the disruptions and restore regularity, IndiGo has implemented strategic adjustments to its schedules. "These measures will be effective for 48 hours and will help us stabilize our operations and gradually improve punctuality throughout our network. Our teams are working tirelessly to alleviate customer discomfort and ensure that operations stabilize as swiftly as possible. Additionally, affected customers are being provided with alternative travel options or refunds, as applicable," the statement continued.

"We urge customers to verify the latest flight status at https://www.goindigo.in/check-flight-status.html before heading to the airport," the airline concluded.