IndiGo, India’s largest domestic carrier, continued to grapple with operational disruptions as it entered its fifth consecutive day of cancellations and delays, causing widespread inconvenience for thousands of passengers across the country. While the airline reported a marked improvement in operations on Saturday, uncertainty remains about the full resumption of services, with the potential for disruptions to continue into Sunday. The airline’s efforts to stabilise its network come amid increased scrutiny from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Ministry of Civil Aviation, which has capped fares and issued directives to protect passengers during this crisis.

According to a statement released by IndiGo, the airline cancelled a “significant number of flights” on Friday, operating only a little over 700 flights. This number connected 113 destinations out of the 138 destinations that the airline serves, making it the worst-performing day in the company’s history in terms of operational reliability. Passengers were left stranded at airports across India, facing long queues at ticket counters and information desks, as the airline struggled to manage its schedules in the wake of the disruptions.

Saturday saw a notable improvement in the airline’s operations. IndiGo reported that over 95 percent of its network connectivity had been restored, enabling flights to reach 135 of the 138 destinations in operation. The airline was on track to operate over 1,500 flights by the end of the day, nearly double the number operated on Friday. While the number of cancellations remained below 850, a substantial reduction from over 1,000 the previous day, the airline acknowledged that challenges persisted and reiterated its commitment to stabilising schedules, reducing delays, and providing support to passengers affected during this period.

IndiGo’s spokesperson emphasised that the airline is working “determinedly” to bring operations back to normal across its network. The airline noted that while cancellations may continue temporarily, they are expected to decrease progressively over the coming days as teams focus on operational recovery. “Today the number of cancellations has dropped below 850 flights, much lower compared to yesterday. We’re continuing to work towards reducing this number progressively over the next few days,” the spokesperson said. The statement conveyed a sense of cautious optimism, highlighting the efforts of IndiGo staff to manage aircraft rotations, crew schedules, and airport operations under challenging circumstances.

In a follow-up statement, IndiGo offered a detailed overview of the steps taken to restore connectivity and improve operations. On Friday, despite the disruptions, the airline managed to maintain a basic level of service across its network, ensuring that flights to major destinations continued to operate. By Saturday, operational efficiency had significantly improved, allowing the airline to resume flights to nearly all of its destinations. The airline also emphasised that passenger support teams had been mobilised to assist affected travellers, including options for rebooking, refunds, and alternate travel arrangements where possible. IndiGo expressed regret for the inconvenience caused, issuing repeated apologies and assuring passengers that all efforts were being made to prevent further disruptions.

The civil aviation ministry, headed by Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, took note of the sharp increase in fares for domestic flights amid the IndiGo crisis. On Saturday, the ministry announced that airlines were required to adhere strictly to fare caps established to protect passengers from “unreasonable surges” in ticket prices resulting from the operational disruptions. According to the order, maximum fares were set based on stage lengths, with the ceiling for routes up to 500 kilometers set at ₹7,500, routes between 500 and 1,000 kilometers capped at ₹12,000, routes between 1,000 and 1,500 kilometers capped at ₹15,000, and routes above 1,500 kilometers capped at ₹18,000. These caps apply to economy class bookings and are exclusive of user development fees, passenger service fees, and applicable taxes. The fare limits do not apply to business class or RCS-UDAN flights. The ministry’s intervention aimed to prevent airlines from exploiting the crisis by inflating ticket prices on high-demand routes affected by cancellations.

The operational crisis at IndiGo has been attributed to multiple factors, including crew shortages, revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL), and challenges in crew rostering across the network. The disruptions highlighted systemic issues in planning, oversight, and resource management, prompting the DGCA to issue show-cause notices to IndiGo executives, including CEO Pieter Elbers. The regulator’s inquiry sought explanations regarding lapses in operational planning, inadequate crew allocation, and failure to meet the requirements of revised FDTL rules. The DGCA has emphasized that IndiGo must ensure effective management of its operations, timely scheduling, and the availability of essential passenger facilities to mitigate hardship and distress.

While the airline has managed to partially stabilise its network, passengers are advised to remain vigilant when planning travel for the coming days. IndiGo has urged customers to check flight schedules frequently and make use of online tools and customer service channels to confirm flight timings and gate information. The airline has also reiterated that rebooking options, refunds, and support for baggage handling are being prioritised to ensure minimal disruption for affected travellers. Passengers were further advised to anticipate potential delays and plan additional time for check-in and boarding procedures, particularly for flights on high-demand routes.

Aviation analysts note that while IndiGo’s recovery over the weekend is encouraging, the airline’s ability to restore complete normalcy will depend on the coordination between operations teams, crew scheduling, and airport authorities. The DGCA and Ministry of Civil Aviation continue to monitor the situation closely, assessing whether additional regulatory measures or directives are required to prevent recurrence of large-scale operational disruptions. Industry observers have stressed that IndiGo’s experience serves as a reminder of the critical importance of robust contingency planning and workforce management in maintaining reliable air services in a high-demand domestic market.

The incident also raised questions regarding the resilience of India’s domestic aviation sector amid peak travel periods. IndiGo’s challenges were compounded by simultaneous disruptions in other airlines due to operational pressures, creating an overall strain on the network. The airline’s focus on stabilising schedules and restoring connectivity reflects both a commitment to passengers and the broader responsibility of the airline as the country’s largest domestic carrier, which serves as a backbone of India’s aviation system.

IndiGo has acknowledged the inconvenience faced by passengers and reiterated that customer support teams are actively addressing concerns. The airline’s priority remains restoring full operational capacity and minimising further cancellations. Passengers have been advised to maintain close contact with airline representatives for updates, rebooking options, and assistance with stranded baggage. IndiGo has also highlighted that efforts are underway to optimise crew rosters, aircraft availability, and turnaround times to prevent delays from compounding over successive days.

In conclusion, while IndiGo has made significant progress in stabilising its network and reducing cancellations, uncertainties remain as the airline continues recovery efforts. The government’s intervention through fare caps and regulatory oversight underscores the seriousness of the disruption and the need to safeguard passengers’ interests. Travelers planning to fly on Sunday and in the days ahead are advised to monitor schedules closely, maintain flexibility in travel plans, and stay informed about rebooking and refund policies. IndiGo’s ongoing efforts to restore network reliability, combined with regulatory oversight, aim to ensure that the domestic aviation sector continues to provide safe, efficient, and affordable services despite the temporary crisis.

Overall, the airline’s statement reflects a cautious optimism: while full normalcy may not yet be guaranteed, IndiGo’s recovery plan is underway, cancellations are decreasing, and network connectivity is steadily improving, signalling that the crisis is gradually coming under control.