New Delhi: Massive disruption hit air travel across the country as IndiGo cancelled at least 85 flights on Wednesday, including 38 in Delhi and 33 in Mumbai, leading to widespread chaos at airports and severe inconvenience to thousands of passengers. The cancellations and delays were caused by a mix of crew shortages, technical glitches, new rostering rules, and winter congestion, according to sources within the aviation sector.
IndiGo, India’s largest airline by market share, issued a public apology acknowledging the disruption. “We acknowledge that IndiGo’s operations have been significantly disrupted across the network for the past two days, and we sincerely apologise to our customers for the inconvenience caused,” the airline said in a statement.
Passengers vent anger as chaos erupts at airports
Scenes of frustration and confusion unfolded at airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and other metro cities. Social media platforms were flooded with videos of agitated passengers confronting airline staff after being stranded for long hours without clear communication.
One flyer stuck at Delhi Airport for more than seven hours wrote on X, “Absolute chaos and mockery at Delhi Airport.” Another user posted, “#Indigo staff are lying, and passengers are stranded for 12+ hours with no confirmation. My flight is delayed for 7+ hours. Never flying Indigo again.”
In Hyderabad, a group of Ayyappa devotees reportedly staged a protest inside the airport, expressing anger over prolonged delays. “Passengers deserve clarity and responsible service,” wrote a user tagging authorities and demanding action.
New FDTL regime adds pressure on pilot workforce
According to sources, one of the major triggers for the operational crisis is the new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) that came into effect in November. The updated safety regulations have reshaped the pilot roster structure, reducing flying hours and creating a shortage of available crew members.
A senior industry source told India Today TV, “The new FDTL regime remains the major reason for the pilot crunch within IndiGo.” With the winter rush increasing passenger numbers significantly, the strain on available crew and aircraft only intensified.
The airline is also facing complications from the high footfall that typically accompanies the winter travel season. Higher passenger loads require additional operational resources, putting further pressure on an already stretched system.
Technical issues worsen delays
IndiGo has acknowledged that certain technology-related problems contributed to the delays. These included glitches in processing boarding information, causing a ripple effect on turnaround time and schedule integrity.
In its official statement, the airline explained, “A multitude of unforeseen operational challenges — including minor technology glitches, schedule changes linked to the winter season, adverse weather conditions, increased congestion in the aviation system, and the implementation of updated crew rostering rules — had a negative compounding impact on our operations.”
Despite this, the airline emphasised that it is making “every possible effort” to restore normal operations and minimise inconvenience for travellers.
DGCA launches probe into IndiGo’s performance
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken serious note of the ongoing disruptions. On Wednesday, the aviation watchdog questioned IndiGo over its poor performance in November and initiated a probe into the airline’s rising cancellations and delays.
IndiGo recorded 1,232 flight cancellations in November alone, in addition to a significant number of late departures. The DGCA has instructed the airline to furnish detailed reports explaining the reasons for the ongoing operational decline.
Passengers await relief as disruptions continue
While IndiGo has begun working to rectify technical snags and stabilise crew scheduling, challenges remain. The airline’s crew shortages continue to be its biggest operational hurdle, making quick recovery difficult.
Passengers with upcoming travel plans have been advised to check their flight status frequently and arrive early at airports, as delays may persist until operations stabilise.
The situation underscores the need for better planning and communication from airlines, especially during peak travel seasons. For now, thousands of passengers across India continue to hope for smoother skies in the days ahead.