IndiGo turmoil deepens as flight cancelations surge across India

India’s largest airline, IndiGo, is facing mounting operational turbulence, with hundreds of passengers stranded across major airports after widespread cancellations and delays triggered a nationwide travel disruption.

At Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport alone, 73 IndiGo flights were cancelled on December 4, according to airport authorities. Airport sources said at least 150 flights were cancelled and dozens delayed on December 3, leading to packed terminals, long queues and confused passengers as last-minute schedule changes flashed across boards.

The ripple effect extended to airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Kolkata, where delays stretched for hours. Passengers took to social media to report being stuck without clear communication or alternate travel options.

DGCA launches probe, demands corrective plan

Stepping in, aviation regulator DGCA has launched a formal investigation and asked IndiGo to explain the ongoing disruption. The watchdog has sought details on:

• Reasons for the cancellations
• Crew scheduling framework
• Measures to stabilize operations
• Timeline for restoring normalcy

IndiGo cancelled 1,232 flights in November, DGCA data shows, with 755 attributed to crew-related constraints and the rest linked to airspace curbs, ATC delays and operational bottlenecks. The airline’s on-time performance plunged to 67.7% in November, down sharply from 84.1% in October.

IndiGo acknowledges disruption, says recovery will take 48 hours

In a public statement, IndiGo said its network had been “significantly disrupted” over the last two days and issued an apology to affected passengers.

“To restore stability, we have initiated calibrated adjustments to our schedules. These measures will remain in place for the next 48 hours and will allow us to normalize operations and progressively recover punctuality across the network,” the airline said.

IndiGo did not disclose full cancellation figures for the current week but said teams are working to rebook stranded travellers or issue refunds.

Disruption spreads: Kolkata, Mumbai, Hyderabad hit

Airports in Kolkata, Hyderabad and Mumbai also reported mass cancellations and delays.

At Kolkata airport alone:

• 10 IndiGo flights were cancelled
• 85 arrivals were delayed
• 49 departures missed scheduled timing

Flights affected included those from Delhi, Bengaluru, Jaipur, Patna, Mumbai, Goa and Hyderabad.

Airport officials attributed the meltdown primarily to crew shortages linked to revised duty-time rules, which have tightened restrictions on night landings and increased staffing demands.

What triggered the crisis?

Industry sources point to a combination of factors:

• Stricter Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) regulations
• Increased demand post-holiday season
• Tight turnaround schedules
• Limited buffer staffing

While DGCA acknowledged that some disruptions were beyond IndiGo’s control, it advised the airline to improve crew planning, coordination with ATC, and contingency preparedness.

With the travel season at its peak, industry experts warn that stabilizing operations could take longer than the 48-hour window IndiGo claims — unless corrective measures escalate.

For now, passengers across India’s busiest aviation hubs are left navigating uncertainty, queues and cancellations — waiting for India’s biggest carrier to regain control of its skies.