The operational crisis confronting IndiGo continued to disrupt air travel at Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) on Thursday, leaving passengers grappling with multiple cancellations and unusually high year-end airfares.
According to airport officials, eight IndiGo flights scheduled to depart from Bhubaneswar were cancelled through the day, extending the turbulence that has persisted for over a week.
Multiple Key Routes Cancelled
Services on several high-demand domestic routes were suspended, including:
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Bhubaneswar–Kolkata
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Bhubaneswar–Dehradun
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Bhubaneswar–Chennai
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Bhubaneswar–Goa
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Bhubaneswar–Mumbai
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Bhubaneswar–Bengaluru
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Bhubaneswar–Hyderabad
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Bhubaneswar–New Delhi
Airport authorities have established a 24×7 control room to assist affected travellers. Passengers can reach the helpline at 8280749239 for verified flight updates, rescheduling support, and information on airport procedures.
Airport Director Prasanna Pradhan said the control room would function continuously until normal operations resume. He added that the airport is coordinating with IndiGo to control congestion and minimise delays for passengers travelling on unaffected flights.
Steep Year-End Airfares Add to Passenger Woes
The crisis has collided with peak holiday-season demand, causing a sharp spike in airfare across major domestic sectors from Bhubaneswar. As of Thursday morning, ticket prices for travel between December 11 and December 31 were listed as:
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Bhubaneswar–Kolkata: ₹11,300 – ₹16,000
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Bhubaneswar–New Delhi: ₹15,800 – ₹23,900
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Bhubaneswar–Hyderabad: ₹9,900 – ₹15,100
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Bhubaneswar–Bengaluru: ₹11,400 – ₹20,400
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Bhubaneswar–Pune: ₹16,400 – ₹26,100
These elevated fares have amplified the strain on passengers already navigating flight cancellations, sudden schedule changes, and crowding at airport counters.
Complaints Over Cancellations and Missing Baggage
The week began with numerous reports of abrupt cancellations, prolonged waiting times, and mishandled luggage at IndiGo counters in Bhubaneswar. Several passengers shared their experiences of missing baggage and uncertainty over item recovery.
One traveller on the Bhubaneswar–Hyderabad–Bhubaneswar route reported that their return flight ended without baggage being delivered, prompting repeated follow-ups with airline staff in search of updates.
Airport Authorities Closely Monitoring Situation
BPIA officials confirmed they are in continuous contact with IndiGo and have deployed additional staff in both arrival and departure zones. The teams are managing queues, assisting passengers with missed connections, and ensuring uninterrupted information flow.
Officials also advised passengers to check flight status frequently and arrive at the airport earlier than usual due to unpredictable schedule changes.
As of now, IndiGo has not issued any official statement regarding the latest string of cancellations or operational disruptions at Bhubaneswar airport.
