Indigo Flight Cancellations Disrupt Travel Across Major Airports In India, Thousands Of Passengers Stranded

IndiGo faced extensive flight cancellations and delays across India due to crew shortages, new duty rules, and weather. Passengers endured long waits, with limited information and support at several airports. Regulatory and airline responses aim to stabilise schedules and restore normal service levels in the coming days.

Thousands of IndiGo passengers across India faced long delays, cancelled flights and missing bags as the airline struggled with major operational problems. More than 500 IndiGo flight cancellations left travellers stranded without clear updates, while scenes of anger, protests and people sleeping on terminal floors were reported at airports including Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Bangalore, Goa and others.

At Delhi airport, piles of unclaimed suitcases lined the terminal as passengers searched for their luggage after waiting for over 12 hours. Many chose to sleep on the ground overnight. Several passengers told media that they received no proper information from IndiGo staff, who were either missing from counters or unable to explain the ongoing disruption.

IndiGo flight cancellations and operational disruptions across key airports

IndiGo’s operational crisis stretched into a fourth straight day, with the airline confirming more than 550 IndiGo flight cancellations on Thursday alone. The disruptions were linked to crew shortage issues, new duty rules and technology troubles. Weather and congestion during the winter schedule added extra pressure, further slowing efforts to get flights running on time.

The scale of cancellations varied across major hubs, according to PTI. Mumbai recorded at least 118 IndiGo flight cancellations, while Bangalore saw 100 and Hyderabad 75. Kolkata had 35 cancellations, Chennai 26 and Goa 11. At Bhopal airport, at least five IndiGo flights were cancelled, with more delays feared as schedules were adjusted.

IndiGo flight cancellations trigger anger and protests from stranded passengers

Frustration boiled over among stranded passengers in several cities as IndiGo flight cancellations stretched on for more than half a day in many cases. At Delhi, some travellers shouted slogans against the airline. Others said the lack of information had caused severe stress, especially for those travelling for important family events and work commitments.

One passenger at Delhi airport described the experience as "mental torture" and said there had been no clear communication even after a long wait. "I'm here for over 12 hours. Every time they are telling us one-hour delays, two-hour delays. We were going to a wedding, and we didn't even have our luggage. IndiGo staff is not telling us anything. Worst airlines right now. I don't understand why they are taking new passengers and stocking up luggage," he said.

Another traveller at Delhi said the wait had stretched since the previous afternoon with no firm answers. "They kept delaying the flight. We have no clarification from IndiGo," he said. A different flier described sitting at the airport for 14 hours, with no food support or help after a missed connection, and criticised how staff dealt with the situation.

"It's very stressful. It's been 14 hours since I've been sitting here at the airport. There are no coupons for food or anything. My connecting flight got cancelled. People are shouting and howling, but the staff is not giving any clarification. The staff is not trained at all to handle such emergencies," another flier said.

In Hyderabad, passengers stranded after IndiGo flight cancellations also reported that no meals or accommodation were offered despite hours of delay. Tension rose so sharply that a group of passengers blocked an Air India flight on the tarmac to protest. Video from Goa airport showed agitated fliers shouting at IndiGo staff as police officers tried to bring the crowd under control.

One Hyderabad passenger narrated the long wait and confusion over schedules. "My take off was yesterday at 7:30 pm. I reached the airport with my father around 6 pm. We were told that the flight was on time. Now it's been over 12 hours since we were here. IndiGo has given us no clarity. They have been telling us it's been delayed indefinitely. We have not been provided with any clarity, food, or water. There's absolutely an abysmal response from IndiGo. There are senior citizens, people with commitments who have no real solution. It's quite ridiculous," a passenger at the Hyderabad airport said.

IndiGo flight cancellations response, crew issues and apology statement

IndiGo told authorities that it had miscalculated how many crew members would be needed after new night duty rules were introduced. The airline admitted planning gaps meant there were not enough crew at a time when winter weather and air traffic congestion were already putting pressure on operations and leading to longer delays.

The airline informed the Civil Aviation Ministry and regulator DGCA that a recent change in the definition of night duty, which had extended the time window from midnight to 6 am instead of midnight to 5 am, had been rolled back for now. A limit that allowed only two night landings per pilot has also been temporarily paused.

IndiGo warned that IndiGo flight cancellations and schedule changes would continue for another two to three days as it worked to stabilise operations. From 8 December, the airline plans to fly fewer services so that aircraft and crew can be better aligned, which it said should gradually reduce the disruption across its domestic and international network.

In an internal communication, IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers told staff that restoring the airline’s usual on-time record would be challenging. Elbers said that getting flights back on schedule and achieving normal performance levels would not be an "easy target". The message underlined that delays and cancellations might still trouble passengers in the short term.

The airline issued a public apology on Thursday night as IndiGo flight cancellations continued. "The last two days have seen widespread disruption across IndiGo's network and operations. We extend a heartfelt apology to all our customers and industry stakeholders who have been impacted by these events," it said in a statement.

The statement added that teams were working with aviation agencies and airports to bring operations back to normal. It said, "IndiGo teams are working diligently and making all efforts with the support of MOCA, DGCA, BCAS, AAI and airport operators to reduce the cascading impact of these delays and restore normalcy." Travellers, however, still faced uncertainty over flights, refunds and missed connections.