IndiGo’s large-scale operational disruptions continued to affect passengers across major airports on Friday, with widespread cancellations causing significant delays and crowding. The airline—India’s largest carrier—has reported over 1,000 cancellations in a single day, marking one of its most challenging operational periods to date.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) stated that the disruptions stemmed from IndiGo’s “misjudgment and gap in planning” while implementing the updated Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms. These rules, designed to enhance crew rest and prevent pilot fatigue, were introduced in January 2024 but had not been strictly enforced until now.
The airline, however, attributed the crisis to multiple operational challenges, including minor technical issues, winter schedule adjustments, and weather-related factors. As operations struggled to stabilise, major travel hubs such as Delhi, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru reported scenes of chaos, with passengers facing long queues and uncertainty.
Flight Operations ‘Steadily Resuming’
The Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi announced late Friday that IndiGo’s flight operations were “steadily resuming” and moving toward normalcy. Passengers were advised to check their flight status before leaving for the airport.
IndiGo Issues Fresh Apology
In a statement posted on X, IndiGo again apologised for the inconvenience caused to passengers. The airline assured flyers that while full recovery would take time, teams were working continuously to restore normal operations as quickly as possible.
Cancellations Expected to Drop Below 1,000
In a video address, IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers stated that cancellations on Saturday are expected to fall below the 1,000 mark. He added that operations are likely to stabilise between December 10 and December 15.
“December 5 was the most severely impacted day, with cancellations well over 1,000. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused to our customers,” Elbers said.
Systems Being Reset for Progressive Improvement
IndiGo confirmed that its teams are working to reboot systems and reorganise schedules to ensure gradual improvement starting Saturday. The airline said it is coordinating closely with the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the DGCA to restore regular operations.
Full Refunds for Affected Passengers
To support passengers, IndiGo announced a full waiver on cancellations and rescheduling for all bookings between December 5 and December 15, 2025.
High-Level Inquiry Ordered
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said that a high-level inquiry has been initiated to identify the root cause of the disruptions. He emphasised that accountability would be ensured and corrective measures taken to prevent similar situations in the future.
The minister also confirmed that the DGCA’s FDTL enforcement order has been placed in abeyance temporarily to stabilise flight operations.
