“IndiGo Flight Glitch Sparks Confusion, Angry Passengers Take Over Counters”

IndiGo Flight Disruptions Throw Airports Into Chaos, Passengers Left Stranded.

Major Indian airports descended into chaos on Friday as IndiGo’s widespread flight cancellations sparked frustration, confusion, and confrontation. At Mumbai Airport, a passenger was seen climbing over airline counters, demanding answers after hours of uncertainty.

Despite IndiGo’s assurances that alternate flights, refunds, and accommodation were being provided, passengers faced long queues, contradictory information, and mounting exhaustion, highlighting the scale of the operational meltdown.

Government Steps In

In response, the government rolled back a key clause of the Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) rules, which had restricted replacing weekly rest with leave and limited crew availability.

Additionally, regulators granted a temporary exemption for night operations until February 10, requiring airlines, including IndiGo, to submit a 30-day plan for full compliance with FDTL regulations. Fortnightly reviews will monitor progress.

Passenger Struggles

At Mumbai Airport, one passenger described her ordeal:

“They cancelled my flight and promised a refund or new ticket. The second ticket was also cancelled, and the third offered no facilities. We’ve been here 17 hours.”

In Ahmedabad, a woman broke down at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport as stranded passengers confronted sudden cancellations and scrambled for information. Heated arguments erupted between staff and passengers in Mumbai, reflecting mounting anger over poor communication.

IndiGo CEO Addresses Crisis

IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers acknowledged the severity of the situation, stating that over 1,000 flights were cancelled on Friday, making it the worst day of disruptions so far.

Elbers said full normalisation could take up to 10 days, contradicting earlier government estimates. He attributed the crisis to a reboot of IndiGo’s operational systems and advised passengers not to rush to airports for cancelled flights to avoid worsening the situation.

Government Response and Monitoring

The Civil Aviation Ministry has ordered a high-level probe to determine accountability and prevent future disruptions. A 24×7 control room has been set up to coordinate updates and restore stability across airports.

For thousands of passengers, Friday was defined by confusion, frustration, and long hours stranded at terminals, as IndiGo struggled to manage one of the largest operational disruptions in its history.