India’s aviation sector is facing one of its most severe operational crises in recent memory, as IndiGo, the country’s largest carrier, continues to grapple with widespread flight disruptions. For the fourth consecutive day, airports across India have been plunged into chaos, leaving thousands of passengers stranded, frustrated, and grappling with uncertainty. Major hubs, including Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Ahmedabad, have borne the brunt of this unprecedented disruption, with queues stretching for hundreds of metres, flights cancelled en masse, and travellers left with little recourse.

Since Tuesday, more than 1,000 IndiGo flights have been cancelled, affecting both domestic and connecting international travel. At Delhi Airport, the airline halted all departures until midnight on Friday, while Chennai reported no departures until 6 pm. Bengaluru and Hyderabad saw dozens of flights cancelled; the southern hub reported 52 incoming and 50 outgoing flights scrapped, while Hyderabad faced 92 cancellations through the day. Smaller airports in cities such as Ahmedabad, Goa, Patna, and Bodh Gaya have also been impacted, demonstrating the nationwide scope of the disruption.

The airline’s punctuality, long considered a hallmark of its operations, has plunged to a record low. On Thursday, IndiGo’s on-time performance fell to 8.5%, an unprecedented figure for a carrier that has long marketed itself on reliability and efficiency. The chaos has had immediate financial repercussions as well: in late afternoon trading, IndiGo shares dropped over 3% to ₹5,417.90 apiece on the Bombay Stock Exchange, reflecting investor concern over the ongoing operational meltdown.

Passengers Left Stranded and Furious

For thousands of travellers, the disruption has been deeply personal, exhausting, and costly. In Hyderabad, one stranded passenger told news agency ANI, “They kept saying ‘just two more hours’ for 12 hours straight. No hotel, no food, nothing.” At Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport, travellers recounted spending the entire night in terminals before flights were ultimately cancelled at dawn. In Goa, a passenger was offered a flight the following day, “but it is not confirmed whether that flight will even depart,” highlighting the uncertainty that has become the new normal for stranded travellers.

The human impact of the cancellations has been compounded by poor communication. Many passengers reported that they were not informed about cancellations in advance, forcing them to wait in long queues at check-in counters. Those seeking alternative flights faced skyrocketing fares, sometimes double the usual rates, adding a financial burden to the stress of disrupted travel. In Ahmedabad, one traveller described the situation as “chaotic,” reporting that passengers had been stranded for 10–12 hours without water or food. Across the country, airport staff struggled to manage frustrated crowds, while airlines scrambled to reschedule flights and accommodate passengers wherever possible.

Why IndiGo Flights Are Cancelled

IndiGo has attributed the crisis to a combination of factors, including technical glitches, winter congestion, and adverse weather conditions. However, aviation officials and industry experts point to a single critical factor: the implementation of India’s revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) regulations, designed to prevent pilot fatigue and ensure safety.

The FDTL norms, which came into effect on November 1, introduced stringent restrictions on flight crew duty schedules. Key provisions include:

• 48 hours of weekly rest for pilots, up from 36 hours
• Extended night duty window from 00:00–06:00
• A maximum of two night landings per pilot per week
• A limit of eight flying hours during night operations

For IndiGo, which operates a high-utilisation network with early-morning and late-night flights, the regulations posed a significant operational challenge. Many pilots were forced into mandatory rest periods just as the airline ramped up its winter schedule starting October 26, leaving the roster stretched thin. The crunch intensified when an Airbus A320 software advisory over the weekend caused late-night delays, pushing flights beyond allowable duty hours. The combination of regulatory compliance, technical setbacks, and staffing shortages triggered a cascade of cancellations across IndiGo’s network, creating a systemic disruption affecting tens of thousands of passengers.

Nationwide Impact

The scale of the disruption has not only affected routine travel but also critical domestic travel during the peak holiday and wedding season. Passengers attending weddings, family gatherings, or important business trips have been forced to change plans, often at considerable expense. International travellers relying on domestic connections to reach hubs for onward flights have faced similar setbacks, leading to missed departures and disrupted itineraries.

In major airports, long queues at customer service counters have become a common sight. In Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, travellers reported waiting hours only to be told flights were cancelled or rescheduled. Food and accommodation support were insufficient to meet the overwhelming demand, highlighting the logistical challenges of managing such a massive operational disruption.

The crisis has also sparked broader debates about India’s airline market structure. IndiGo controls a dominant share of key domestic routes, which amplifies the impact of operational failures. Opposition leaders and passenger groups have criticised the government for allowing monopoly-like conditions in the aviation sector, arguing that lack of competition exacerbates the consequences when a single airline faces operational constraints. Experts warn that repeated regulatory relaxations and exemptions granted to IndiGo could have long-term safety and operational implications if not carefully monitored.

Steps Taken to Stabilise Operations

In response to the ongoing disruptions, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has granted IndiGo temporary operational exemptions from certain FDTL provisions for its A320 fleet, valid until February 10, 2026. The regulator cited “ongoing operational disruptions” and representations from the airline, stating that these measures were necessary to maintain continuity and stability of flight operations while ensuring passenger safety.

IndiGo has assured regulators and passengers that corrective measures are underway and that normalised operations will be gradually restored over the coming days. The airline has also implemented relief measures for affected passengers, including automatic refunds, hotel accommodations, and waivers on cancellation and rescheduling charges for travel during the disruption period. Despite these efforts, passenger confidence has been shaken, with many travellers vowing to explore alternate carriers in the future.

Looking Ahead

As winter travel continues and peak demand periods approach, IndiGo faces a critical test in regaining control of its network. Experts emphasize that close coordination between airline management, pilots, and regulators will be essential to avoid further disruptions. Passengers are advised to check flight statuses online, plan for delays, and consider alternate travel arrangements.

The crisis underscores the fragility of India’s aviation ecosystem in the face of regulatory changes, operational challenges, and high passenger volumes. With IndiGo at the center of the disruption, how effectively the airline and authorities manage recovery will have far-reaching implications for passenger trust, airline market dynamics, and the reputation of Indian civil aviation globally.

For now, airports remain crowded, queues remain long, and passengers continue to navigate uncertainty, highlighting the scale and intensity of one of the most disruptive operational crises in India’s aviation history.

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