(MENAFN- Khaleej Times)

Indigo, one of India's leading budget carriers now embroiled in controversy after hundreds of flights were cancelled or delayed amid a crisis, issued an apology to passengers on Thursday.

"The last two days have seen widespread disruption across IndiGo's network and operations. We extend a heartfelt apology to all our customers and industry stakeholders who have been impacted by these events," the airline said in a statement on X.

Recommended For You Oman helps free Filipino, Indian, Russian crew of Eternity C from Houthis

It said that "teams are working diligently and making all efforts with the support of MOCA, DGCA, BCAS, AAI and airport operators to reduce the cascading impact of these delays and restore normalcy".

Indigo has told India's aviation regulator that its operations will be fully restored by February 10, and has asked for relief from some provisions that limit pilot duty after it cancelled hundreds of flights this week due to a shortage of aviators.

Indigo has acknowledged that the disruptions have arisen primarily from "misjudgment and planning gaps" in implementing the second phase of pilot duty rules, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said in a statement.

It added that it "deeply regrets the inconvenience caused and remains focused on streamlining its operations at the earliest".

India's civil aviation ministry took serious note of the disruptions and cancellations, with the minister expressing displeasure on how the airline handled the crisis, the government said in a statement.

Thousands of passengers were stranded again on Thursday, the third day of chaos after India's biggest airline failed to make sufficient changes to its roster planning to accommodate new government regulations.

MENAFN04122025000049011007ID1110439041