IndiGo Airlines Faces Major Disruptions as Over 500 Flights Canceled

IndiGo Airlines is currently facing significant operational disruptions, with over 500 flights canceled in just four days, primarily affecting travelers at Delhi Airport. Passengers have reported being stranded for hours without food or water, as the airline struggles to manage the situation. The chaos has prompted criticism from opposition leaders, who blame the government's monopoly model for the ongoing issues. IndiGo has assured that normal operations are expected to resume by February 10 of next year. This situation raises serious concerns about the airline's planning and management capabilities.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 5, 2025, 11:49 IST

Significant Flight Cancellations Impacting Travelers

On the fourth day of ongoing disruptions at IndiGo Airlines, more than 500 flights were canceled on Friday morning. The most severe impact was felt at Delhi Airport, where all IndiGo flights were grounded by 3 PM. In total, the number of canceled flights over the past four days has exceeded 1,000, leaving many passengers stranded and disrupting their travel plans.

IndiGo's Assurance of Normal Operations

In response to the situation, IndiGo has informed the aviation regulatory body that it expects operations to return to normal by February 10 of next year. Over the past three days, airports across India have seen a significant influx of IndiGo customers due to numerous delays and cancellations.

Chaos at Airports Amid Flight Cancellations

Amid the turmoil of IndiGo flight cancellations, a lawyer named Shweta Kapoor shared her experience at Delhi's IGI Airport, detailing how her flight was rescheduled multiple times before ultimately being canceled, leading to widespread frustration among passengers.

Reasons Behind the Mass Cancellations

The primary reason for the extensive flight cancellations at IndiGo is attributed to miscalculations and planning deficiencies in implementing the second phase of Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) regulations. The airline communicated this information to the aviation watchdog and indicated that normal operations should resume by February 10.

Passenger Struggles Amid Increased Fares

One passenger, Abhishek Chauhan, expressed the difficulties faced due to his canceled flight from Ahmedabad to Varanasi. He mentioned being stranded for nearly 10-12 hours without access to food or water, amidst a chaotic atmosphere. He also noted that other airlines have significantly raised their fares, making it challenging to book alternative flights.

Rahul Gandhi Criticizes Government's Monopoly Model

In light of the ongoing IndiGo flight cancellations, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi has criticized the government, stating that the situation reflects the costs of its monopoly model. In a tweet, he remarked, "The chaos at IndiGo is a consequence of this government's monopoly model. Once again, ordinary Indians are paying the price through delays, cancellations, and helplessness. India deserves fair competition in every sector, not a rigged monopoly."