Mangaluru: A nationwide disruption in Indigo airline operations caused significant flight cancellations and delays at Mangaluru International Airport on 4 December, leaving hundreds of passengers inconvenienced. A total of 10 flights—both arrivals and departures—were cancelled, affecting services to key destinations including Mumbai, New Delhi and Bengaluru. The situation led to confusion and frustration among passengers, especially those who were notified at the last minute.

10 flights cancelled amid nationwide Indigo outage

Airport officials confirmed that multiple Indigo flights scheduled for 4 December had to be cancelled due to a widespread system disruption experienced by the airline across the country. Passengers travelling to and from Mumbai, New Delhi and Bengaluru were the most impacted.

While many travellers received prior alerts and avoided unnecessary trips to the airport, several others—who were informed only minutes before departure—arrived at the terminal only to discover that their flights were cancelled. This resulted in heated arguments with airline staff, who were already struggling to manage the high volume of queries.

Airport urges passengers to check flight status

In response to the day-long disruption, Mangaluru International Airport authorities issued an advisory urging all passengers with advance bookings to verify their flight status before leaving for the airport. Officials stated that real-time checks through airline websites and mobile apps could help prevent crowding and reduce distress among travellers.

They also added that operational uncertainties could continue until the airline resolves its internal issues fully.

Long delays impact arrival and departure schedules

The disruption did not only result in cancellations but also caused extensive delays for several Indigo and Air India flights. Services to and from Mumbai, New Delhi and other major destinations were delayed by 2–3 hours, and at times even longer.

Airport data revealed that 17 flights departed after delays exceeding 30 minutes. Airline staff were tasked with continuous rescheduling and crowd management to ease the impact on passengers.

Overnight delay for Indigo’s New Delhi flight

One of the most severe delays involved an Indigo flight scheduled to depart for New Delhi on the night of 3 December. The flight, originally planned for late-night departure, was postponed repeatedly and eventually took off only on the morning of 4 December.

Passengers were forced to remain at Mangaluru airport overnight, leading to high levels of frustration and discomfort. The prolonged wait triggered heated exchanges at the boarding gate, with several travellers expressing dissatisfaction over inadequate communication from the airline.

Travellers express frustration over handling of crisis

Many passengers criticised the airline for poor coordination and delayed updates. Some reported that they received cancellation messages when they were already en route to the airport, while others said their flight status kept changing throughout the night.

Passengers expressed concerns over the lack of clarity about refunds, rebooking options and accommodation for those who had to remain at the airport for extended periods.

Despite the chaos, airport authorities said they worked closely with the airlines to ensure that stranded passengers received basic assistance and guidance.

Conclusion

The Indigo service disruption caused widespread inconvenience at Mangaluru International Airport, with cancellations, long delays and overnight waits adding to passenger distress. Airport officials continue to urge travellers to check flight updates frequently, especially during large-scale operational outages. As the airline works to stabilise its systems, further delays and schedule adjustments are possible.