India’s largest airline, IndiGo, entered its third consecutive day of severe operational chaos, with more than 550 domestic and international flights cancelled on Thursday alone, triggering widespread disruptions at major airports and leaving thousands of passengers stranded.
The scale of the cancellations one of the worst in IndiGo’s operational history has led to heightened scrutiny from aviation authorities, emergency meetings with regulators, and public apologies from the airline’s top leadership.
Massive Cancellations Across Major Airports
According to airport data, the 550+ cancellations on Thursday were spread across India’s busiest hubs:
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Delhi: 172 flights
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Mumbai: 118 flights
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Bangalore: 100 flights
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Hyderabad: 75 flights
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Kolkata: 35 flights
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Chennai: 26 flights
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Goa: 11 flights
Several other airports also reported unexpected cancellations and delays as IndiGo’s network struggled to stabilise.
Passengers across terminals reported long queues, lack of communication, and hours of uncertainty as departures were delayed or cancelled at short notice.
IndiGo Issues Public Apology After Days of Disruption
Late Thursday night, IndiGo issued an official apology on X (formerly Twitter), acknowledging the unprecedented disruptions:
“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.”
The airline said its teams were working “diligently” with the support of MOCA (Civil Aviation Ministry), DGCA, BCAS, AAI, and various airport operators to reduce the cascading effect of delays and restore normalcy.
The airline also urged passengers to check flight status online before leaving for the airport.
DGCA and Aviation Ministry Step In
The crisis prompted the Civil Aviation Ministry and the DGCA to hold an emergency meeting with IndiGo’s senior leadership to assess the situation and examine mitigation measures.
After the review meeting, IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers addressed employees in an internal email, admitting the severity of the crisis:
“We serve close to 380,000 customers a day and want each of them to have a good experience. We could not live up to that promise these past days.”
He warned staff that restoring normalcy would not be an “easy target.”
What Went Wrong? Multiple Factors Behind the Collapse
IndiGo attributed the crisis to a convergence of several operational challenges, which collectively triggered a network-wide breakdown:
1. Minor Technology Glitches
System-level technical issues caused delays in internal processes and disrupted network efficiency.
2. Schedule Changes and Operational Revisions
Recent reshuffling of schedules resulted in bottlenecks across critical routes.
3. Adverse Weather Conditions
Fog and poor visibility affected operations at multiple airports.
4. Growing ATC Congestion
High airspace congestion further slowed down flight movements.
5. Implementation of New FDTL Norms
Revised Flight Duty Time Limit (FDTL) rules led to crew unavailability at short notice.
IndiGo told DGCA that the combination of these factors led to a cascading meltdown across its network.
IndiGo’s Declining Performance Raises Concerns
IndiGo, renowned for its punctuality, saw its on-time performance collapse to 19.7% on Wednesday, down from 35% the previous day.
DGCA said the airline had been experiencing a sharp rise in cancellations, increasing to 170–200 flights per day far higher than typical numbers.
In November alone, IndiGo cancelled 1,232 flights, with the breakdown as follows:
- 755 cancellations: Staff shortages
- 92 cancellations: Air Traffic Control failures
- 258 cancellations: Airport restrictions
- 127 cancellations: Other logistical and operational issues
The aviation watchdog has now launched a probe into IndiGo’s performance decline and demanded a detailed explanation of the disruptions.
Steps Taken to Restore Normalcy
IndiGo has begun implementing several measures, including:
- Revised schedules to balance crew and aircraft availability
- Pre-planned cancellations to avoid last-minute chaos
- Hiring more crew members as recommended by DGCA
- Network realignment to reduce pressure on congested routes
The airline said efforts are underway to stabilise operations as quickly as possible, though normalcy may take time to return.
Passenger Impact: Long Delays, Chaos at Airports
Across social media platforms, passengers shared visuals of overcrowded terminals and long waiting times. Many complained of:
- Last-minute cancellations
- Hours-long delays
- Poor communication from staff
- Difficulty rebooking flights
- Missed international connections
Several users expressed frustration over lack of clarity, while others demanded compensation.
Industry Watches Closely as IndiGo Attempts Recovery
As India’s largest airline operating over 2,300 flights daily IndiGo’s disruptions have had a wider impact on national air travel, affecting schedules of other carriers as well.
While efforts are ongoing, the airline faces pressure from:
- Regulators, demanding accountability
- Passengers, demanding better communication and compensation
- Internal management, struggling to stabilise operations
- Crew shortages, expected to take time to resolve
The coming days will be crucial for IndiGo as it attempts to regain control of its network and restore its reputation for punctuality.
