New Delhi, December 7, 2025 – After nearly a week of unprecedented disruptions, India’s largest airline IndiGo is slowly regaining operational stability. The Ministry of Civil Aviation on Sunday said flight operations, which had been significantly affected for six consecutive days, are now showing “steady improvement” as the airline works to normalise its schedule.

Flight Operations on the Mend

According to the ministry, IndiGo’s flights increased from 706 on December 5 to 1,565 on December 6, and the airline is expected to operate up to 1,650 flights by the end of Sunday. Domestic air travel overall is returning to normal, with other carriers operating at full capacity, while IndiGo continues to address the backlog of cancellations and delays caused by earlier disruptions.

“The air travel operations across the country are stabilising at a fast pace,” the ministry stated, emphasizing that passengers can expect flight schedules to return to normal levels in the coming days.

Refunds and Passenger Support

In a significant relief to stranded passengers, IndiGo has processed ₹610 crore in refunds, following a government directive requiring the airline to refund all affected passengers by 8:00 pm on Sunday, December 7.

“No additional fees are permitted for rescheduling travel impacted by cancellations,” the ministry clarified. Dedicated support cells have been set up by the airline to assist passengers with refund processing, rebooking, and other travel-related issues, ensuring continuous communication throughout the process.

Baggage Delivery Underway

Passengers separated from their luggage due to the massive disruptions also received good news. IndiGo successfully delivered 3,000 pieces of baggage to their owners as of Saturday. The Ministry of Civil Aviation mandated the airline to trace and return all delayed baggage within 48 hours, ensuring that stranded passengers could receive their belongings promptly.

Regulatory Action and Accountability

While operations are improving, IndiGo faces scrutiny from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). On Saturday, DGCA issued a show-cause notice to CEO Pieter Elbers, holding him directly responsible for “significant lapses in planning, oversight, and resource management” that led to the country’s worst aviation crisis in years.

Elbers was given 24 hours to explain why enforcement action should not be initiated against him, signaling regulatory intent to hold top management accountable for the crisis. The DGCA’s move reflects heightened attention to airline operational planning and passenger rights following the disruptions.

Passenger Impact and Recovery

Thousands of passengers faced cancellations and delays over six days, with many left stranded at airports. The disruptions were compounded by baggage mismanagement, further aggravating traveler frustration. Government intervention, including mandatory refunds and baggage return deadlines, has helped stabilize the situation and reassure affected passengers.

The Civil Aviation Ministry expressed optimism that IndiGo’s systematic resumption of flights, coupled with proactive passenger support, will allow the airline to restore normal operations soon.

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The IndiGo crisis illustrates the critical importance of airline planning and resource management, as even the country’s largest carrier struggled under operational pressure. Authorities and the airline are now working in tandem to restore passenger confidence and ensure accountability, marking the beginning of recovery after a week-long disruption.