New Delhi – IndiGo, India’s largest domestic airline, on Thursday extended its flight cancellations across major hubs, grounding all flights from Delhi until midnight and halting departures from Chennai until 6 PM. The announcement comes on the fourth consecutive day of widespread disruptions, with thousands of passengers stranded and at least 400 flights cancelled nationwide.

The airline, which operates more than 235 daily flights from Delhi alone, also cancelled 104 flights from Mumbai, 92 from Hyderabad, and 102 from Bengaluru, underscoring the scale of the operational breakdown. Delhi airport authorities confirmed the cancellations on social media, noting that operations for other carriers were unaffected and assuring that on-ground teams were working to support passengers during the disruption.

Frontline Staff Speak Out

IndiGo’s pilots, cabin crew, and ground staff have publicly criticized the airline’s management, issuing an open letter blaming “preventable operational breakdowns” for the ongoing crisis. Staff members said the disruptions were “not just an operational failure — they were a failure of planning and frontline protection.”

The letter highlighted the disproportionate burden placed on employees at airports, who faced passenger anger and logistical challenges while strategic decisions were made far from the consequences. According to the staff, frontline workers were left to manage a surge of frustrated travelers, illustrating a disconnect between operational leadership and on-ground execution.

Operational Causes and Industry Context

IndiGo admitted on Thursday to aviation regulators that the disruptions stemmed from “misjudgment and planning gaps” in adapting to the Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) rules—crew rest and duty-hour regulations intended to prevent pilot fatigue. Despite having two years to prepare for these rules, the carrier’s on-time performance (OTP) plummeted to a historic low of 8.5%, marking one of the most severe operational failures in its two-decade history.

Industry experts note that IndiGo’s dominant position in India’s domestic market—controlling approximately 60%—amplifies the impact of any disruption. Even minor planning errors can cascade into nationwide chaos, affecting thousands of passengers across multiple airports simultaneously.

Passenger Impact

The flight cancellations have left travelers scrambling for alternatives, with some forced to reschedule travel plans or seek accommodation at airports. The disruptions come at a particularly challenging time, coinciding with peak travel demand and major domestic and international events.

Passengers reported long queues at airline counters, crowded lounges, and frustration over delayed information regarding rescheduled flights. Social media has seen widespread complaints, with many criticizing the airline’s communication and contingency planning.

Looking Ahead

While IndiGo has indicated that operations may gradually stabilize, aviation analysts warn that the airline’s recovery will depend on effective management of crew schedules, aircraft availability, and real-time coordination across airports. Regulators, including the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), have been closely monitoring the situation, and the ongoing disruptions have sparked debate over airline preparedness and regulatory oversight.

This operational crisis has also prompted calls for better contingency planning and stronger protections for frontline airline staff, who bear the brunt of passenger frustration during large-scale disruptions. As the airline works to restore normalcy, passengers are being advised to check flight statuses regularly, explore alternate routes, and understand their rights under DGCA regulations for delays and cancellations.

Conclusion

IndiGo’s ongoing operational meltdown highlights the vulnerabilities inherent in India’s domestic aviation sector, where even the largest carriers can face systemic failures when faced with regulatory changes and peak travel pressures. The airline’s dominant market share, combined with the complexities of crew scheduling under new fatigue rules, has turned a logistical challenge into a full-blown passenger crisis, underscoring the critical need for robust planning and crisis management in India’s fast-growing aviation industry.