IndiGo Faces Major Flight Disruptions with Over 400 Cancellations
Significant Flight Cancellations and Delays
On Friday, IndiGo Airlines canceled more than 400 flights, leading to extensive delays at various airports. Sources indicate that over 220 flights were canceled at Delhi Airport alone, affecting both departures and arrivals, while Bengaluru Airport saw more than 100 cancellations.
Additionally, Hyderabad Airport reported over 90 canceled flights. Other airports also experienced cancellations and delays, attributed to operational disruptions caused by crew shortages and technical issues. The Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have been closely monitoring the situation regarding IndiGo's flight disruptions. IndiGo has informed the DGCA that it expects flight operations to stabilize by February 10, 2026.
Passenger Challenges at Airports
At Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in Kerala, four IndiGo flights—two inbound and two outbound—were canceled due to crew shortages and technical difficulties. Furthermore, three inbound and three outbound flights were delayed, as reported by the airport's PRO.
Similar issues were observed at Delhi's IGI Airport, where passengers faced significant challenges due to delays and last-minute cancellations, forcing them to pay between ₹20,000 to ₹30,000 for alternative flights.
Operational Challenges in Maharashtra
IndiGo also encountered operational hurdles at airports in Maharashtra. Between midnight and 8 AM on Friday, 16 inbound and 16 outbound flights were canceled, primarily affecting Pune and Mumbai. Operations at Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport were similarly impacted.
Frustrated passengers have expressed their concerns, urging authorities to resolve the issues promptly. One traveler shared their experience, stating, "I had a flight from Ahmedabad to Varanasi yesterday... after multiple delays, we canceled our flight but did not receive our luggage on time. We've been stranded here for almost 10-12 hours without food or water. It's a terrible situation, and booking another flight is proving difficult as other airlines have doubled their fares."
Record Cancellations and Regulatory Scrutiny
Today, IndiGo has canceled 225 flights at Delhi Airport, contributing to over 1,000 cancellations in just three days. Notably, on Thursday, the airline canceled more than 550 domestic and international flights, marking the highest number of cancellations in a single day in the past two decades.
In light of the ongoing passenger difficulties, IndiGo has requested exemptions from certain Flight Duty Time Limit (FDTL) provisions from the DGCA until February 10, 2026. The airline assured the regulatory body that corrective measures are being implemented to address the issues.
Future Disruptions Expected
IndiGo has informed the DGCA that additional flight cancellations are anticipated in the next 2-3 days as the airline works to stabilize its schedule. Following this announcement, the DGCA has adopted a stricter stance towards the airline.
According to a report, IndiGo plans to reduce the number of flights starting December 8 to help manage daily operational challenges.
DGCA's Warning to IndiGo
The aviation watchdog has stated that it will closely monitor IndiGo's flights, the measures taken to improve operations, and the services provided to passengers in the coming days. The regulator has also warned the airline against exploiting the current situation to raise ticket prices.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has reviewed the situation and directed airports to provide all possible assistance to stranded passengers.