India’s largest airline, Indigo, is battling one of its worst operational crises, as more than 450 flights have been cancelled on Friday alone. However, the cancellation occurred after more than 550 cancellations on the previous day. Therefore, the disruption has triggered massive chaos at airports because it has affected tens of thousands of passengers and caused ripple effects across the aviation ecosystem.
The turmoil stems from a severe cockpit crew shortage, winter-schedule workload, and new flight duty time limitation (FDTL). Hence, it has forced the airline to scale down its operation and issue urgent apologies to its customers. Moreover, the airline said it expects full stability only by February 2026, as per its communication to DGCA.
Major Airports Hit Hard: Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Worst Affected
Delhi Airport: 235 Flights Cancelled
All 235 IndiGo domestic flights for Friday were cancelled at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. Therefore, it has created a backlog of stranded passengers, misplaced baggage, and crowd management challenges.
Mumbai: 104 Flights Axed
Mumbai airport also reported 104 cancellations, including 53 departures and 51 arrivals.
Bengaluru: 102 Flights Cancelled
After Delhi and Mumbai, Bengaluru witnessed the cancellation of 52 arrivals and 50 departures, which severely impacted domestic connectivity.
Hyderabad: 132 Cancellations
Hyderabad reported 61 arrivals and 71 departures cancelled by Friday morning.
Chennai: Shutdown Until 6 PM
Chennai Airport confirmed all IndiGo flights are suspended until 6 pm, as the airline requested gates to hold passengers who were already in boarding areas.
Other cities, Pune, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Thiruvananthapuram, Jaipur, Srinagar, Jammu, Manohar Airport in Goa, Patna, and Chandigarh, also reported widespread cancellations and delays.
Passenger Chaos: Protests, Baggage Pile-Ups & 12-Hour Delays
Many passengers have started protesting at the terminal, as the delay has stretched beyond 12 hours. CISF deployed reserve platoons at Delhi airport to control crowd surges. Moreover, baggage retrieval has also been slowed due to a large influx of abandoned or delayed luggage. However, airports have urged travellers to check IndiGo flight status on trackers before leaving home.
IndiGo Issues Third Public Apology
Besides the escalating crisis, indigo airlines said it was truly sorry and assured passengers of real-time updates. It said, “Our team is working tirelessly with DGCA, MOCA, BCAS, AAI, and airport operators to minimise disruptions. We urge passengers to check their flight status before heading to the airport.”
Govt Orders High-Level Inquiry; Promises Full Restoration in 3 Days
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu announced a four-member probe panel to examine operational lapses and ensure accountability. Moreover, the committee will submit its findings within 15 days.
A 24/7 control room has been set up to work with operations and passenger support. In addition, the ministry has assured the following orders:
- Full refunds will be issued automatically for cancelled IndiGo flights.
- Hotel accommodation will be provided for stranded passengers.
- Services should stabilise in 24 hours and fully restore within three days.
DGCA Eases Rules: One-Time Exemption to IndiGo
The DGCA has granted a temporary relaxation of FDTL rules by allowing substitution of leave with weekly rest to help the airline regain control. However, this change aims to free up more pilots for duty and reduce crew shortages. In contrast, the airline has confirmed that planning gaps have contributed significantly to the meltdown.
Impact on Indigo Share Price & Aviation Outlook
This crisis is expected to impact the Indigo share price sentiment because investors are reacting to the flight cancellations and operational tension. The share of the company saw around 12 per cent of decrease on Friday afternoon. However, it could recover as soon as operations get normal.
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