New Delhi – IndiGo’s ongoing operational crisis, now entering its fourth day, has left thousands of passengers stranded across India, with airports struggling to manage overcrowding and confusion.

The worst disruption has been reported from Delhi, where all IndiGo flights were cancelled until midnight (23:59), affecting 235 scheduled departures. Chennai airport also saw a complete halt in operations until 6 pm. Bengaluru airport reported 52 arrivals and 50 departures cancelled, while Hyderabad logged 92 cancellations through the day. In total, more than 1,000 flights have been cancelled nationwide in just four days.

Reasons Behind the Chaos

The disruption began earlier this week after an Airbus A320 software advisory caused a ripple of delays, which were exacerbated when Phase 2 of the new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms came into effect, restricting pilot and crew working hours.

IndiGo later admitted to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) that the mass cancellations were linked to planning gaps during the implementation of the FDTL rules. The airline has indicated that normal operations may only resume by February 10, 2026.

IndiGo operates over 2,200 flights daily across India and international routes. The airline has assured passengers that its teams are “working around the clock to ease customer discomfort and ensure operations stabilise as quickly as possible.”

IndiGo Refund and Rebooking Policy

Passengers affected by cancellations have several options under IndiGo’s own policies:

• Full Refund: If a flight is cancelled, delayed by more than two hours, or rescheduled to depart one hour earlier than planned, passengers are eligible for a full refund.
• Alternate Travel Arrangements: Passengers can choose another flight using IndiGo’s ‘Plan B’ option on the airline’s website.
• Processing Time: Refunds are typically credited within seven business days. Passengers who booked through travel agents must coordinate with their agency to complete the refund process.

Your Legal Rights Under DGCA Rules

In addition to airline policies, the DGCA’s Passenger Charter provides legal safeguards for travellers:

• Compensation: If a passenger is not informed of a cancellation at least two weeks before departure, they may claim compensation in addition to a full refund.
  • Flights up to 1 hour: ₹5,000 (or basic fare + fuel charge, whichever is lower)
  • Flights 1–2 hours: ₹7,500 (or basic fare + fuel charge, whichever is lower)
  • Flights over 2 hours: ₹10,000 (or basic fare + fuel charge, whichever is lower)
• Delayed Flights: Passengers may refuse alternate flights offered by the airline and claim a full refund if the delay exceeds six hours.
• Filing Complaints: If an airline rejects your compensation or refund request, grievances can be lodged through the AirSewa portal or app, or at DGCA nodal officers available at major airports.

With the ongoing disruptions, authorities and the airline have urged passengers to check real-time flight status before heading to airports to avoid further inconvenience.