IndiGo Flight Chaos: 500+ Flights Cancelled Nationwide — Massive Disruption Continues
IndiGo flight chaos continues as over 500 flights are cancelled across India, triggering massive nationwide delays
The travel disruption caused by IndiGo has escalated into one of the worst operational crises in India’s aviation history. As of early December 2025, more than 500 flights have been cancelled in a single day nationwide, leading to widespread chaos at airports, stranded passengers, and urgent interventions from regulators.
Airports across Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai — among others — have reported massive cancellations and delays, with departure-boards flashing “cancelled” in rapid succession.
The root of the chaos appears to be the recently enforced crew-rostering norms by the regulator DGCA (Flight Duty Time Limitations — FDTL). These rules, aimed at reducing pilot and crew fatigue, impose stricter rest periods, fewer allowable night landings, and limited duty hours.
Under these rules, many of IndiGo’s pilots and crew became ineligible to fly as per the earlier roster arrangements — creating a massive staffing gap.
Because IndiGo operates an enormous network — over 2,200 flights daily — even a small shortage caused a cascading failure across the system.
Critics and industry insiders allege that despite knowing about the rule changes well in advance, IndiGo failed to scale up hiring or adjust its staffing buffers.
Pilot associations have described the airline’s approach as “short-sighted,” pointing out a hiring freeze and minimal backup staff — leaving no room when compliance with new norms became mandatory.
Beyond crew shortage, several factors worsened the disruption: technical glitches at major airports, winter-season weather (fog, air-traffic constraints), and heavy congestion on key winter-season routes.
In many airports, the domino effect began with a few delays or cancellations and amplified rapidly — crew rotations broke down, aircraft parked idle, and schedules scrambled.
On certain days, all domestic flights from major hubs like Delhi and Chennai were grounded.
Some airports saw over 100 flight cancellations in a day — for example, 124 flights cancelled at Bengaluru airport and 109 at Mumbai, as reported in one update.
The cancellation count across India reportedly spiked past 800 flights as disruptions continued over multiple days.
The airline’s on-time performance (OTP), once a hallmark strength, reportedly collapsed to as low as 8.5% at major airports during the crisis.
Terminals were flooded with frustrated travellers: long queues, unclaimed baggage, passengers sleeping on floors, some even missing crucial events like weddings, work commitments, or exams due to sudden cancellations.
One stranded passenger described being offered no real alternatives — no alternate flight, no compensation, and minimal communication from staff.
DGCA issued a show-cause notice to IndiGo’s management over the “operational crisis.”
The government — via the Ministry of Civil Aviation — introduced temporary fare caps for domestic flights to curb surging prices and protect stranded passengers.
To ease the burden on air travelers, special trains were deployed by Indian Railways on key routes, offering alternative travel for those stranded by flight cancellations.
IndiGo was directed to clear all pending refunds for cancelled flights by a strict deadline — with regulators warning that any failure to comply would result in further action.
Meanwhile, the government is preparing broader oversight — with parliamentary committees set to summon airlines and DGCA officials to investigate the entire fiasco.
In response, IndiGo CEO publicly apologized, committed to resuming normal flight operations gradually and pledged full compliance.
Check your flight status regularly via official airline app/website before heading to the airport — cancellations are still possible at short notice.
Claim refunds or alternate flights if your booking is cancelled — the government has mandated no rescheduling fees and full refunds for affected travellers.
Consider alternative options — trains (especially special/extra coaches added by Indian Railways), other airlines, or reschedule if possible.
Avoid paying surge-priced fares from opportunistic resellers — with fare-caps in place, premium fares are discouraged, but demand is high.
Track official updates — from DGCA, Ministry of Civil Aviation, and the airline — for latest travel advisories, refunds status or schedule restoration.
IndiGo has estimated that full normalisation of its operations could take until early 2026 — as late as February 10 — meaning passengers might face continued uncertainty for weeks.
Airports and regulators are under pressure to ensure crew rosters, staffing, and safety norms are adhered to — to avoid a repeat of the “lean-staff, high-frequency” model that evidently collapsed under regulatory stress.
Meanwhile, parliament-level scrutiny and public backlash may push for stricter oversight of airlines’ scheduling and staffing practices — especially for dominant carriers with heavy market share.
For now, India’s air travellers must brace for unpredictability — and airlines must rebuild trust.
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