Updated: December 5, 2025, 10:21 pm IST – Passengers across India are facing unprecedented airfares and travel chaos following a wave of massive flight cancellations by IndiGo, the country’s largest budget airline. Routes between major metros such as Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, and Guwahati have witnessed skyrocketing ticket prices, with some same-day non-stop fares reaching levels that far exceed typical domestic rates. The crisis, entering its fourth consecutive day, has left thousands of travelers stranded at airports, with long queues, uncertainty, and rising frustration.

Data compiled from leading flight booking platforms, including MakeMyTrip (MMT), Goibibo, and EaseMyTrip, indicates a steep surge in fares on domestic routes, particularly for last-minute bookings. Travelers seeking alternatives due to the airline’s cancellations are compelled to pay exorbitant amounts for tickets that would ordinarily cost a fraction of the current prices. For instance, on Friday evening, the cheapest last-minute Delhi to Bengaluru flight listed on MMT cost around ₹40,000, while the Bengaluru to Delhi return was priced at a staggering ₹70,000.

The airfare spike, however, is not uniform. Data shows that flights a few days later become significantly more affordable. For example, a Delhi to Bengaluru flight departing on December 7 is priced at ₹37,571, dropping to ₹11,185 on December 8, and by the following weekend, fares decline to around ₹7,173. Similarly, passengers looking to travel from Delhi to Mumbai on December 6 must pay at least ₹36,107, with top-end fares exceeding ₹56,000. Return trips to Delhi from Mumbai also carry a steep price tag, ranging from ₹23,000 to ₹37,000.

The Delhi-Chennai corridor has been particularly affected, with last-minute tickets climbing as high as ₹62,000 to ₹82,000. Passengers traveling from Delhi to Guwahati face minimum fares of ₹23,998 and maximum rates of ₹35,015. The surge has effectively made domestic travel in India more expensive than international flights on some routes. For example, Delhi to Dubai flights scheduled for December 6 are available from as low as ₹15,000, while Bengaluru-Dubai tickets are similarly priced. Delhi to Bangkok flights can be booked starting at ₹18,747, highlighting the severe domestic supply crunch caused by IndiGo’s operational disruptions.

The root cause of this chaos lies in IndiGo’s operational challenges, which began earlier this week. The airline has faced widespread roster and crew management issues, leading to a series of cascading cancellations across the country. Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad have been the worst-hit airports, with thousands of passengers stranded for hours. Frustration among travelers has been exacerbated by inadequate communication from the airline, with many passengers reporting long waits at counters and difficulty obtaining information about flight statuses.

In response to the disruptions, IndiGo has issued public apologies twice, acknowledging the gravity of the situation. In a statement on Friday, the airline described the day as “the highest number of cancellations” in recent memory, emphasizing that measures were being taken to “reboot operations” and gradually stabilize services starting Saturday. The airline also explained that Delhi Airport temporarily suspended all IndiGo departures until 23:59, affecting approximately 235 scheduled flights from the national capital alone.

The surge in fares reflects not only the immediate supply-demand imbalance but also the financial stress faced by passengers forced to make last-minute travel arrangements. Industry analysts note that IndiGo’s cancellations have amplified market volatility, as passengers scramble for available flights on other airlines or the few remaining IndiGo services. Last-minute fares often surge during peak travel periods, but the current spike is exceptional, surpassing even international ticket rates for nearby destinations.

Travelers seeking alternative flights are reporting mounting difficulties in securing seats, with online booking portals showing limited availability. Some passengers have expressed concern about the fairness of last-minute pricing, citing that domestic fares have surged to amounts typically associated with international travel. The situation has sparked criticism of both the airline’s operational management and the lack of contingency measures to protect passengers during large-scale disruptions.

The crisis has also placed significant pressure on airport infrastructure and ground services. With hundreds of flights canceled or delayed, airport staff are stretched thin managing passenger queries, rebooking requests, and luggage handling. Airlines are coordinating with airports and regulators to ensure safety and minimize further inconvenience, but the volume of affected travelers has made the process challenging.

Several passengers have reported that their travel plans were disrupted despite following standard booking procedures well in advance. Many are now forced to pay inflated prices or consider rescheduling trips, resulting in economic losses and missed opportunities. The chaos has also impacted business travelers, who rely on predictable schedules for meetings, corporate events, and international travel connections.

Experts suggest that IndiGo’s cancellation crisis serves as a case study in operational risk management for budget airlines. Factors such as crew shortages, roster mismanagement, and high flight frequency contribute to vulnerability, particularly in India’s rapidly growing aviation sector. Regulatory authorities are monitoring the situation, with an emphasis on passenger welfare and potential enforcement of compensation measures under the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) guidelines.

Passengers are advised to remain vigilant, explore alternative airlines, and monitor official announcements from IndiGo regarding flight resumption. While the airline has pledged to gradually stabilize operations starting Saturday, travelers should anticipate potential delays and consider flexible arrangements for critical travel. Many are also turning to online booking platforms to track dynamic fare changes and secure the few remaining seats on priority flights.

In addition to immediate operational challenges, the current situation raises broader questions about the sustainability of high-frequency, low-cost airline operations in India. Industry observers note that budget carriers like IndiGo have expanded rapidly in recent years, capturing a large share of domestic air traffic. While this expansion has made air travel more accessible, it also exposes airlines to operational risks, particularly during periods of unexpected disruptions or staffing constraints.

The ongoing crisis highlights the delicate balance between affordability, reliability, and operational efficiency in India’s aviation sector. Passengers, regulators, and industry stakeholders are all affected, with public confidence potentially impacted if large-scale disruptions continue. Airlines may need to adopt more resilient crew management systems, improved communication protocols, and contingency planning to mitigate future crises.

In conclusion, the IndiGo flight cancellation chaos has created unprecedented challenges for domestic travelers, with airfare surges making last-minute travel prohibitively expensive. Routes such as Delhi-Bengaluru, Delhi-Mumbai, Delhi-Chennai, and Delhi-Guwahati have been particularly affected, with fares sometimes exceeding ₹70,000. The situation has sparked criticism from passengers and industry observers alike, underscoring the importance of operational resilience, transparent communication, and robust contingency planning in India’s fast-growing aviation sector. As IndiGo works to stabilize operations in the coming days, travelers are urged to exercise caution, explore alternative options, and remain informed about the latest flight updates to minimize disruption to their plans.