IndiGo flight chaos: Airline back on track, operating 135 of 138 destinations

India’s aviation crisis deepened on Saturday as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a show-cause notice to IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers, seeking an explanation for the airline’s growing wave of cancellations, delays and operational failures. The regulator has given him 24 hours to respond, warning that failure to do so could lead to strict action.

The notice marks one of the toughest interventions by the DGCA in recent years and comes amid rising public anger over nationwide disruptions that have caused major inconvenience and distress to passengers. According to the regulator, the immediate trigger was IndiGo’s failure to prepare for the rollout of revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) for pilots — changes that were announced well in advance and took effect on November 1.

The DGCA said IndiGo did not make the necessary adjustments to its rosters, manpower and systems in time, resulting in widespread crew shortages and a cascading operational breakdown across its network of 138 destinations. “Scheduled flights of M/s IndiGo Airlines have recently faced massive disruptions resulting in severe inconvenience, hardship and distress to passengers,” the notice stated.

It further noted that the airline failed to meet the revised duty and rest rules for cockpit crew, breached Rule 42A of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, and violated several Civil Aviation Requirements related to duty periods. IndiGo was also accused of not providing the assistance and facilities required for passengers affected by delays and cancellations.

The notice directly holds Elbers responsible, stating that as CEO he is accountable for ensuring stable operations and proper passenger support. If IndiGo does not respond within the stipulated time, the DGCA will proceed ex parte, leaving the airline exposed to penalties that could include fines or operational restrictions.

As the Indian government initiated regulatory action following IndiGo’s recent operational chaos that disrupted travel for thousands of passengers, the airline said on Saturday that it has restored over 95 per cent of its network, operating to 135 of its 138 destinations.

In an updated statement, IndiGo acknowledged the scale of the disruption. “While addressing recent network issues, we had to cancel a significant number of flights and operated just over 700 flights yesterday connecting 113 destinations,” a spokesperson said.

“The main objective was to reboot our network, systems, and rosters so that we could start today with a higher number of flights and improved operational stability. There are already early signs of improvement,” the spokesperson added.

IndiGo said it is on track to operate more than 1,500 flights by the end of the day.

“While we know there is still a long way to go, we remain committed to rebuilding the trust of our customers. We thank all our partners and government agencies for their continued support and guidance,” the airline said.

The spokesperson concluded with an apology: “We apologise once again for the inconvenience caused and are working diligently to restore normal operations across our network.”

IndiGo, under growing criticism for widespread flight disruptions, said on Saturday that it is processing all customer refunds on priority.

The statement came shortly after the government ordered the airline to clear every pending refund by 8pm on Sunday, following days of cancellations and delays across the country.

“We are addressing all customer refunds on priority. We are also working closely with airports and partners to ensure timely updates are shared with passengers at terminals, on our website, and through direct notifications,” the airline said.

IndiGo added that it is “working determinedly to bring operations back on track”, with teams focused on stabilising schedules, cutting delays, and assisting affected travellers.

The airline noted a slight improvement in operations, stating that cancellations had dropped to below 850 flights on Saturday — significantly lower than the previous day.

“We will continue working to bring this number down over the next few days,” it added.

India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation ordered IndiGo to trace and deliver all baggage separated from passengers during recent flight cancellations and delays within the next 48 hours.

Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu announced the directive on X, saying the government had issued strict instructions to the airline following large-scale disruptions across its network. He said IndiGo must clear every pending passenger refund and complete the refund process for all cancelled or affected flights by 8pm on Sunday, December 7.

“The Ministry of Civil Aviation has directed IndiGo to clear all pending passenger refunds without delay,” the minister posted. “The refund process for all cancelled or disrupted flights must be fully completed by 8:00pm on Sunday, December 7, 2025. IndiGo must also ensure that all baggage separated from passengers due to cancellations or delays is traced and delivered to their homes or chosen addresses within the next 48 hours.”

In its statement, the Ministry added that airlines have been instructed not to charge any rescheduling fees for passengers affected by the disruptions. It also warned that any delay or failure in processing refunds would lead to immediate regulatory action.

Amid ongoing disruptions, IndiGo on Saturday announced automatic refunds for all cancelled bookings and a full waiver on cancellation or rescheduling charges for travel between December 5 and 15.

In a post on X, the airline said refunds would be issued automatically to the original mode of payment, with no questions asked.

“In response to recent events, all refunds for your cancellations will be processed automatically to your original mode of payment,” the post read.

IndiGo also confirmed that passengers travelling between 5 and 15 December can reschedule or cancel their bookings without any charges.

The announcement ended with an apology: “We are deeply sorry for the hardships caused.”

IndiGo’s cancellation of more than 200 flights on Saturday continued to disrupt travel plans across the country, leaving hundreds of passengers in Kerala — including patients and Sabarimala pilgrims — stranded or forced to make last-minute changes.

Local media reported that at least 12 flights were cancelled at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport and Cochin International Airport. Nine flights, including some international services, were grounded in Thiruvananthapuram, while three were cancelled in Kochi as part of the nationwide disruption.

Air India and Air India Express have confirmed that, since December 4, economy class fares on non-stop domestic flights have been proactively capped to prevent price surges caused by usual demand-and-supply systems.

The airlines acknowledged that screenshots showing higher prices for last-minute one-stop or multi-stop itineraries, or mixed-cabin bookings from third-party platforms, do not reflect their capped fares. “It is not technically possible to cap all such permutations, but we are engaging these platforms to ensure compliance,” a spokesperson said.

Both carriers are also working to add flight capacity to help passengers and their baggage reach destinations promptly.

IndiGo has rubbished media reports suggesting that the airline’s CEO Pieter Elbers will be asked to resign.

IndiGo, which is facing the worst crisis since its inception, has suffered hundreds of flight cancellations after India’s civil aviation body enforced rest rules for pilots.

An airline source told Gulf News that the CEO is very much actively involved in resolving the ongoing issues. “He is at the operations command center motivating employees,” the source said.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has directed IndiGo to process all pending passenger refunds by 8 pm on Sunday, December 7, amid the airline’s ongoing disruptions, which have seen 405 domestic flights cancelled.

The ministry also instructed IndiGo to deliver separated baggage within 48 hours, waive rescheduling charges, and set up dedicated passenger support cells to ensure smooth grievance redressal.

Non-compliance will invite immediate regulatory action, with priority given to senior citizens, differently-abled passengers, students, and patients.

IndiGo Airlines resumed 11 flights from Jammu airport on Saturday but cancelled seven flights from Srinagar due to pilot rostering issues.

At Srinagar International Airport, seven inbound and seven outbound flights were cancelled out of 36 scheduled services. At Jammu, two flights to Mumbai and Hyderabad remain suspended, while nine others operate as scheduled.

The airline has apologised for the crisis, promising refunds for cancelled flights. The Civil Aviation Ministry has also intervened, instructing airlines to adhere to fare caps amid rising ticket prices.

The disruption stems from a sudden shortage of pilots, and authorities expect operational issues to continue for several more days.

IndiGo passengers continued to face severe disruptions on Saturday, as cancellations and delays of domestic flights from Delhi Airport entered their fifth consecutive day. Tens of thousands of travellers are affected, grappling with uncertainty, mounting expenses, and unclear communication. Passengers at Delhi Airport described prolonged waits and repeated cancellations.

One traveller, booked to fly to Agartala, said their flight was cancelled multiple times despite being told it would operate, with no tickets available until December 8.

He said, " Everything was arranged, and at the entry gate, CISF personnel told me the flight would operate. But when I reached the check-in counter, I was informed that the flight had been cancelled again. They told me they cannot provide any ticket before December 8. I asked them to at least refund whatever amount is due."

Another passenger, a neuro patient, recounted collapsing after repeated cancellations and rescheduling, eventually requiring hospital care at Medanta, with no clear refund or solution provided.

"I have been at the airport for four days. They keep rescheduling my flight. When I first arrived to drop my luggage, I found out that the flight was cancelled without any message or email. They rescheduled it for the next day, which was also cancelled. Then they rescheduled it for this morning, and that too was cancelled. I am a neuro patient. I felt dizzy here and collapsed. They admitted me to Medanta. The staff told me yesterday that I would get a refund since my flight was cancelled, but this morning they called and told me to board the flight instead. They are not giving me any clear solution or refund."

Chennai Airport faced major disruptions on Saturday, with 48 flights cancelled across key domestic destinations including Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Coimbatore, Ahmedabad, Visakhapatnam, Andaman, Lucknow, Pune, and Guwahati.

Services to Kochi, Bhubaneswar, Patna, Thiruvananthapuram, and Kolkata were also cancelled. ATR aircraft continue to operate on regional routes such as Madurai, Thoothukudi, Tiruchirappalli, Salem, Vijayawada, and Bengaluru, with a service charge of Rs 1,500 per ticket.

Notable morning cancellations included Flight 6081 to Bengaluru, Flight 495 to Hyderabad, Flight 6225 to Mumbai, and Flight 456 to Delhi. Evening cancellations impacted flights to destinations including Delhi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Kochi, Patna, and Thiruvananthapuram, with key cancellations such as Flight 2761 to Delhi and Flight 6158 to Hyderabad.

Passengers are urged to check updated schedules with their airlines and either reschedule or request refunds as per airline guidelines.

Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) has confirmed that flight operations are steadily resuming following recent disruptions.

Some IndiGo flights continue to be affected. Passengers are advised to check the latest flight status with the airline before heading to the airport to avoid inconvenience.

Airport teams are actively coordinating with all stakeholders to minimise disruptions and ensure a smooth travel experience.

Visuals from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport show long passenger queues amid ongoing flight cancellations and delays.

IndiGo travellers across the country continue to face disruptions, with airlines and authorities working to restore normal operations.

With widespread disruptions to IndiGo’s flight schedules, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has taken urgent steps to stabilise operations and minimise passenger inconvenience.

Centre focuses on passenger support

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said the government’s immediate priority is to restore normalcy and provide full support to passengers affected by delays and cancellations of IndiGo’s domestic flights.

FDTL orders temporarily suspended

The Ministry also announced that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s (DGCA) Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) orders have been placed in abeyance with immediate effect. Officials emphasised that the decision safeguards passenger interests without compromising air safety, particularly for senior citizens, students, patients, and others reliant on timely air travel.

Several steps have been implemented to normalise airline operations quickly:

• Airlines are instructed to provide real-time flight updates via enhanced online systems.

• Full refunds will be automatically issued for cancelled flights.

• Stranded passengers will receive hotel accommodation directly arranged by airlines.

• Senior citizens and differently abled passengers will receive lounge access and additional assistance.

• Refreshments and essential services will be provided to all affected passengers.

Authorities expect flight schedules to begin stabilising by Saturday, with full restoration of services within the next three days.

A dedicated control room has been set up to monitor developments in real time and coordinate corrective actions. Passengers can reach the ministry through the following numbers: 011-24610843, 011-24693963, 096503-91859.

Ahmedabad Airport also experienced disruptions, with seven arrivals and 12 departures cancelled between 12am and 6am (local time) on Saturday. These cancellations highlight the broader operational challenges IndiGo has faced in recent weeks.

Thiruvananthapuram International Airport recorded six domestic flight cancellations throughout the day, affecting key routes to Delhi, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru. The airport had 26 scheduled movements, including 22 domestic (11 arrivals, 11 departures) and four international flights (two arrivals, two departures). Passengers were advised to contact the airline for rescheduling and updates.

Following widespread delays and cancellations by IndiGo, which disrupted hundreds of domestic flights, SpiceJet has stepped in to help stranded travellers by adding extra departures from Delhi and Mumbai on Saturday. The airline aims to offer passengers alternative travel options and ease congestion at busy airports while the aviation sector works to restore normal operations.

Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi has issued a passenger advisory confirming that IndiGo flights are now “steadily resuming” after Friday’s mass disruption that saw more than 1,000 cancellations. Travellers have been urged to check flight status before leaving home.

“We are glad to update that IndiGo flight operations are now steadily resuming and getting back to normalcy,” Delhi Airport said in the statement.

On Friday, last-minute fares surged to unprecedented levels amid IndiGo’s flight cancellations. A one-way, one-stop economy ticket on SpiceJet from Kolkata to Mumbai for December 6 reportedly reached ₹90,000, while a similar Air India Mumbai–Bhubaneswar ticket spiked to ₹84,485, according to PTI citing airline websites.

A source told PTI that “last-minute fares are usually 2–3 times the normal rates, but in this case, they surged up to six times.”

Ajay Prakash, Nomad Travel CEO and former president of the Travel Agents’ Association of India, called the hike “black marketing and profiteering” and warned of the urgent need for oversight: “If a ₹10,000 ticket is being sold at ₹60,000 anywhere, it’s exploitative and must be addressed.”

The airline had cancelled all domestic flights departing Delhi until midnight on Friday — its worst operational day to date. IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers said a full return to normalcy is expected between 10 and 15 December, apologising to passengers for the widespread delays and cancellations.

“December 5 was the most severely impacted day, with cancellations well over 1,000,” Elbers said in a video message.

Across the country, passengers reported long waits, cancelled trips and a lack of communication from the airline.

At Jodhpur Airport, one traveller said: “No one from IndiGo is providing any answers… I have been standing here since morning.”

Another passenger in Bhubaneswar, who was due to connect to an international flight, said she spent three hours seeking clarity with “no answers” provided.

Actor Lauren Gottlieb described the airport scenes as “an apocalypse,” with all Dubai-bound IndiGo flights cancelled. Jay Bhanushali, Rahul Vaidya, and Aly Goni also shared their experiences, criticising delays, soaring ticket prices, and prolonged waits.

The DGCA has set up a four-member panel to examine IndiGo’s failure to prepare for FDTL CAR 2024. The regulator cited “deficiencies in internal oversight and compliance planning”, noting that cancellations had climbed to 170–200 per day before spiralling this week.

The committee will submit its report within 15 days and recommend regulatory action to prevent future disruptions.

India withdraws pilot rest policy after IndiGo chaos

• India’s aviation ministry has rolled back the new weekly rest rules for pilots, following widespread flight cancellations by IndiGo. The rules, aimed at improving pilot rest and passenger safety, were implemented last month.

• IndiGo, which commands 60% of India’s domestic market, cancelled all domestic flights from New Delhi and Chennai on Friday, marking its worst day with over 1,000 cancellations.

• CEO Pieter Elbers apologised and said the relaxation of rules is “of great help,” though “lots of work is still in progress.”

• Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said flight schedules should stabilise by Saturday and that the decision prioritises passengers, including senior citizens, students, and patients, without compromising safety.

• The crisis began on Monday due to “unforeseen operational challenges” and misjudgement in adapting to the new rules, despite two years to prepare.

• Passengers reported long delays and lack of updates at airports, while the government and public figures, including Rahul Gandhi, criticised the handling of the situation.

• IndiGo operates over 2,000 daily flights and the disruptions come amid global Airbus alerts affecting aircraft upgrades.