For InterGlobe Aviation, the operator of India's largest airline by market share, 2026 has been a year of back-to-back challenges. The troubles began in February when IndiGo found itself at the centre of one of the worst episodes of air travel disruption in the country. The implementation of new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms forced the airline to overhaul crew scheduling, triggering a severe pilot shortage and widespread operational disruptions.
Just as the airline was beginning to recover from the disruption, a much larger challenge emerged. The Israel-Iran conflict, which later drew direct U.S. involvement and has now entered its third month, sent shockwaves through global markets. Few industries have felt the impact as directly as aviation.
