More Than 100 IndiGo Flights Scrapped as Chaos Unfolds at Key Indian Airports

IndiGo is facing major disruptions across its network, with technology glitches, airport congestion and operational challenges causing widespread delays and cancellations.

Thousands of passengers were left stranded on Wednesday as over 100 flights were cancelled across key airports. By afternoon, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Ahmedabad had all reported significant cancellations. According to PTI, 33 flights were cancelled at Delhi airport, while over 51 flights were scrapped in Mumbai. Hyderabad saw 19 IndiGo cancellations, affecting flights to and from cities including Visakhapatnam, Goa, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Madurai, Hubli, Bhopal and Bhubaneswar. Ahmedabad logged 14 cancellations.

Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport also reported 42 domestic cancellations — 22 arrivals and 20 departures — impacting routes to Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Goa, Kolkata and Lucknow.

The airline’s recent on-time performance has also dipped sharply. Government data shows only 35% of IndiGo flights were on schedule on December 2, and 49.5% on December 1.

IndiGo Responds

In a statement, IndiGo acknowledged that its operations had been “significantly disrupted” for two days and apologised to its passengers. The airline attributed the situation to a combination of factors: technology issues, winter schedule adjustments, adverse weather, heavy congestion and the implementation of new crew duty rules.

To stabilise operations, IndiGo said it is making temporary schedule adjustments for the next 48 hours to restore punctuality and limit further disruptions. The airline said customer support teams are working round the clock and that affected travellers are being offered alternative arrangements or refunds.

Passengers have been advised to check flight status online before heading to airports, many of which are reporting heavy crowds as travellers seek rebooking.

Crew Shortage Adds Pressure

The situation has been worsened by a shortage of pilots following the second phase of the revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms introduced last month. The rules — which mandate 48 hours of weekly rest, extend night hours and limit night landings to two instead of six — had initially faced pushback from IndiGo and Air India.

The DGCA implemented the changes after directions from the Delhi High Court, though in phases and with some variations for airlines.

IndiGo, which operates about 2,100 domestic and international flights daily — a large portion of them at night — has been hit hard. As of December 2, the airline had 416 aircraft, of which 366 are operational and 50 grounded, according to Planespotters.com.