New Delhi: The ongoing disruptions in IndiGo’s flight operations, which have left lakhs of passengers stranded across India, drew the attention of both the Supreme Court and the Delhi High Court on Monday. While the apex court described the crisis as a “serious matter,” it refrained from immediate intervention, citing the government’s ongoing efforts to manage the situation. Meanwhile, the Delhi High Court agreed to hear a public interest litigation (PIL) concerning the mass flight cancellations on December 10.

The Supreme Court bench, headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and comprising Justice Joymalya Bagchi, acknowledged the magnitude of the disruption, noting that thousands of passengers were affected and that many faced pressing health and personal concerns. “It is a serious matter. Lakhs of people are stranded at the airports. We know the government of India has taken timely action and cognisance of the issue,” the CJI remarked when a lawyer highlighted the ongoing difficulties faced by passengers.

The court, however, did not grant an urgent hearing to the plea seeking judicial intervention, stating that the Centre had already taken steps to address the situation. The bench emphasized awareness of the humanitarian implications of the disruption, including passengers with health conditions and other urgent requirements, underscoring the seriousness of the situation without issuing immediate directives to the airline.

On the ground, the crisis continued to escalate. IndiGo, India’s largest airline by market share, had cancelled over 500 flights on Monday alone while planning to operate 1,802 services for the day, according to a statement by the civil aviation ministry. Of the 9,000 bags reported delayed during the disruptions, 4,500 had been delivered, with the remaining luggage expected to reach passengers within 36 hours.

The Delhi High Court, meanwhile, agreed to take up a PIL filed to seek directions for passenger relief, including support, refunds, and better management at airports. The bench, comprising Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, listed the matter for hearing on December 10. Advocates for the petitioners described the ground situation at airports as “inhumane,” highlighting that passengers were being stranded without adequate assistance or proper refund mechanisms.

Lawyers appearing before both courts highlighted the scale of the disruptions, which have affected operations at 95 airports across the country. In the Supreme Court, it was noted that around 2,500 flights had been delayed over the past few days, compounding the hardship faced by travelers. The Delhi High Court was informed that the government had already issued certain directions to address the issue, though petitioners argued that implementation on the ground remained inadequate.

IndiGo’s operational disruptions began on December 2 following regulatory changes in crew rostering and pilots’ flight duty norms. The airline’s inability to fully comply with the updated regulations led to widespread cancellations and delays, particularly affecting major hubs such as Delhi and Bengaluru. On Monday, over 250 flights were cancelled at these two airports alone, with Delhi accounting for 134 cancellations (75 departures and 59 arrivals) and Bengaluru witnessing 117 cancellations (65 arrivals and 62 departures).

The aviation ministry has been actively monitoring the situation and working with IndiGo to resume normal operations. Officials confirmed that passenger services, including baggage delivery and rescheduling, are being prioritized, but the backlog remains significant. The continued cancellations and delays have drawn sharp criticism from passengers, aviation bodies, and political leaders, putting pressure on both the airline and regulators.

While the Supreme Court has stopped short of issuing direct orders to IndiGo, its remarks underline the seriousness of the situation and the potential legal and reputational implications for the airline. The upcoming hearing in the Delhi High Court is expected to focus on systemic issues, including passenger rights, refunds, and the responsibilities of ground support staff, with the possibility of court-mandated directives to ensure better management of the crisis.

The IndiGo disruption serves as a significant test of India’s aviation regulatory framework, highlighting the impact of operational and regulatory challenges on millions of travelers. With holiday travel in full swing and the ongoing regulatory compliance requirements, the resolution of this crisis remains under close watch by the judiciary, passengers, and the broader public.

As the Delhi High Court prepares to hear the PIL on December 10, all eyes remain on the airline’s ability to stabilize operations and deliver relief to affected passengers, while the Supreme Court’s stern observations signal a judiciary that is increasingly attentive to the human impact of systemic failures in critical public services.