Bengaluru: Air travel at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) was severely impacted on Wednesday after IndiGo cancelled 42 flights, comprising 22 arrivals and 20 departures. The cancellations, confirmed by an IndiGo representative, stem from operational challenges and the cascading effect of multiple delays experienced over the past week. The airline has assured passengers that efforts are underway to restore normal operations at the earliest.

Operational issues trigger widespread cancellations

IndiGo, India’s largest airline by market share, has been dealing with significant disruptions in recent days. According to the airline, the latest cancellations in Bengaluru are linked to internal operational factors that triggered a ripple effect across several routes. “The team is working on fixing the issue at the earliest,” an IndiGo spokesperson said, while requesting passengers to check updated flight information before heading to the airport.

Airport sources confirmed that several major routes were affected. Among the cancelled arrivals were flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Goa and Lucknow. The departures hit included services to Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Goa, Kolkata and Ahmedabad. These routes are among the busiest domestic sectors in the country, causing further inconvenience to travellers.

Passenger frustration mounts over week-long delays

This disruption follows a series of delays and cancellations that passengers have been reporting for nearly a week at KIA. Travellers shared that IndiGo flights had been delayed anywhere between one hour to as long as three hours, leading to long queues, missed connections and disrupted itineraries.

Many took to social media to express their frustration, highlighting a lack of timely communication from the airline. Passengers described receiving updates at the last minute, leaving them with limited alternatives for rebooking or planning. Some reported having to wait for hours at boarding gates without clarity on revised schedules.

Social media posts also indicated that passengers were struggling to get through customer care lines, while others claimed that rebooking options were limited due to high seat occupancy on other airlines.

Multiple airports affected amid growing pressure on airline operations

The operational strain on IndiGo is not limited to Bengaluru. Earlier this week, the airline cancelled more than 70 flights across the country, reportedly due to crew shortages and system-wide scheduling bottlenecks. With IndiGo operating a high-frequency network across dozens of domestic routes, any internal disruption quickly affects schedules nationwide.

Aviation analysts note that airlines often experience cascading delays when turnaround times increase, crew duty limits are exceeded or technical checks take longer than expected. Given the high demand for post-festival travel, even a minor disruption can snowball into a network-wide challenge.

Impact on travellers and airport operations

At Kempegowda Airport, the flight cancellations have strained terminal operations as passengers crowd help desks and booking counters for assistance. According to airport officials, efforts are being made to minimise congestion, but the scale of cancellations has resulted in significant inconvenience.

The airport source also noted that Wednesday’s cancellations come shortly after 20 IndiGo flights were cancelled on December 2, reflecting the continued pressure on the airline’s Bengaluru operations.

Passengers arriving from long-distance destinations reported difficulties securing alternate transport or connecting flights. Meanwhile, travellers with urgent commitments — including business meetings, hospital visits and international connections — faced particular hardship.

What affected passengers should do

Travel experts advise that passengers flying with IndiGo in the coming days should:

  • Check flight status frequently through the airline’s app or website
  • Arrive early at the airport to avoid last-minute rush
  • Keep alternate travel options in mind in case of extended disruptions
  • Reach out to IndiGo’s support channels for rebooking or refunds

Passengers should also monitor advisories issued by the airline and Kempegowda Airport on social media for real-time updates.

Conclusion

With 42 flights cancelled in Bengaluru today and similar disruptions seen nationwide, IndiGo continues to operate under significant operational strain. While the airline has assured that corrective measures are underway, passengers at KIA remain affected by delays, uncertainty and overcrowding. A return to full normalcy is expected once crew schedules, aircraft rotations and operational workflows stabilise. Until then, travellers are advised to stay prepared for possible disruptions and plan ahead.