As IndiGo continues to face an unprecedented number of flight cancellations, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has offered the airline temporary, one-time exemptions from certain night-operation provisions under the new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules. These relaxations apply to IndiGo’s Airbus A320 fleet and will remain in effect until February 10. The regulator clarified that the exemptions were granted only to support operational stabilisation and should not be viewed as a reduction in safety standards.

The airline has been dealing with widespread disruptions throughout the week, with more than a thousand flights cancelled on Friday alone. IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers said the airline expects its schedule to return to normal between December 10 and 15.

Alongside the DGCA’s support, the government has stepped in with an official inquiry into the disruption. Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu said the investigation will look into what triggered the collapse in operations, identify accountability, and outline corrective steps to ensure such passenger hardships are not repeated. Later in the evening, the DGCA announced a four-member panel to conduct a complete review of the situation, with a report expected in 15 days.

The new FDTL framework, introduced in two phases from July and November was designed to strengthen fatigue management for pilots, a crucial aspect of aviation safety. Pilot groups have criticised the DGCA’s decision to grant exemptions to IndiGo and have demanded that the relief be withdrawn. Responding to this, the DGCA urged pilots and associations to support stable operations during this peak travel period, minimise avoidable delays, and maintain close coordination with airlines. The regulator reiterated its commitment to flight safety and to enforcing the new FDTL rules “in letter and spirit.”

IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers also issued a video statement apologising to passengers, calling it the “most severely impacted day” for the airline so far. He explained that a full system and schedule reboot was carried out to enable gradual improvement.

“…we decided today for a reboot of all our systems and schedules, resulting in the highest number of cancellations so far, but imperative for progressive improvements starting tomorrow onwards. With these actions, we expect tomorrow to have cancellations below 1,000. The support of DGCA, in providing specific FDTL implementation relief, is of great help,” Elbers said.

CORNELL INDIA has quickly become one of the most influential names in hotel-focused food-service equipment. At the centre of this success is Mr. Oommen Matthew, whose vision is transforming how hotels procure, operate, and experience equipment across India.

A Vision Born From a Simple Question: “Why Not India?”

During his recovery from COVID in 2020, Mr. Matthew identified a long-standing gap in the industry. Indian hotels depended heavily on imported equipment that was expensive, difficult to service, and slow to repair. He believed India had the capability to produce world-class solutions, yet lacked manufacturers focused specifically on hotel-grade equipment.

This insight shaped CORNELL INDIA’s core philosophy: International standards. Indian innovation. Hotel-ready engineering. Every product is designed with durability, efficiency, and easy serviceability, three essentials for high-pressure hospitality environments.

Innovation Rooted in Real Hotel Operations

CORNELL INDIA’s biggest strength is its commitment to understanding on-ground realities. The team regularly spends time in hotel kitchens, buffets, and live stations, closely observing how equipment is used in daily operations.

Chefs and F&B managers often bring forward specific challenges or requests that spark new product ideas. With a strong and specialised R and D division, the company is able to engineer solutions, prototype quickly, test them in real hotel settings, and refine them until they match operational needs perfectly.

A Standout Innovation: The Sleek Under-Counter Buffet System

One of the company’s most impactful innovations is the concealed counter-slung induction and cold plate system. This solution completely elevates buffet presentation and functionality.

Instead of visible and bulky machines on the counter, CORNELL INDIA places the entire mechanism beneath the surface, showing only a clean heated or chilled top.

Hotels benefit through

• A premium and minimalist buffet appearance
• Better hygiene and easy cleaning
• Improved energy efficiency
• Quiet and guest-friendly operation
• Higher durability with fewer breakdowns

This innovation reflects CORNELL INDIA’s design philosophy where elegance meets engineering.

After-Sales Support That Builds Long-Term Trust

For hotel operations, uptime is crucial. CORNELL INDIA ensures reliable support through trained technicians across key locations, strong spare part availability, and proactive maintenance practices.

What truly sets them apart is their commitment. The team does not stop at fixing an issue. They ensure the setup is improved and more reliable than before.

Quality Without the Price Shock

By manufacturing in India and focusing on intelligent engineering, CORNELL INDIA delivers international-quality equipment without the high costs associated with imports. This makes the brand a preferred partner for mid-scale and emerging hotel chains looking for value and performance.

A Future Guided by Purpose and Precision

With Mr Oommen Matthew’s vision driving the company, CORNELL INDIA is not just supplying equipment. It is redefining how Indian hotels experience technology, efficiency, and long-term reliability.

World-class quality, built in India. This is the promise behind CORNELL INDIA’s growing impact in the hospitality industry. https://www.cornellindia.in/ 

UNOX India, the wholly owned subsidiary of UNOX S.p.A., Italy, known worldwide for its technology-led commercial ovens has earned the Great Place to Work Certification for 2025. This marks the third consecutive year the company has received this recognition, highlighting its steady commitment to building a workplace where people feel valued, supported, and encouraged to grow.

The certification is based on employee responses gathered through the Trust Index Survey, which measures workplace experience across Credibility, Respect, Fairness, Pride, and Teamwork. UNOX India’s results were benchmarked against national workplace standards, placing the company among India’s leading employers.

UNOX operates in more than 44 countries and is known for its research-backed design, intelligent cooking systems, and sustainability-focused technologies. The repeated certification reflects how the company’s strong people culture aligns with its focus on innovation, efficiency, and reliability in professional kitchens.

Sharing his thoughts on this milestone, Vikram Goel, Regional Director – UNOX India & South-East Asia, said, “The culture we strive to build at UNOX India is one where every individual feels secure, respected, and empowered to achieve their fullest potential. This third certification stands as a deeply meaningful validation of our ‘trust-first’ philosophy. It is an acknowledgment of our extraordinary team, whose passion, collaborative spirit, and commitment remain the driving force behind UNOX India’s progress and standing in the industry.”

UNOX India continues to invest in structured learning, technical development, and capability-building programs, helping employees stay future-ready in a fast-changing market. The company remains committed to creating an environment where people can advance their skills while contributing to the growth of the commercial kitchen industry in India and beyond.