New Delhi: IndiGo, India’s largest airline, reported on Sunday that it plans to operate 1,650 flights, with 650 cancellations out of the total 2,300 daily flights it runs, as the airline continues to manage operational disruptions for the sixth consecutive day.

The crisis, which began earlier this week, has significantly affected air travel across the country. Friday marked the worst day of the disruption, with over 1,000 flights cancelled and on-time performance dropping to a historic low of 8.5%. Saturday saw some recovery, with around 850 cancellations and 1,500 flights operating, while Sunday’s operations show further improvement as the airline works to restore network stability.

“IndiGo confirms that we are establishing further significant and sustained improvements across our network. The first step to this was taken yesterday, and today we have implemented the next steps, resulting in fewer cancellations and higher on-time performance,” the airline said in a statement.

Crisis Management Measures and Government Oversight

In response to the ongoing disruption, the Board of InterGlobe Aviation—IndiGo’s parent company—formed a Crisis Management Group (CMG) consisting of chairman Vikram Singh Mehta, board directors Gregg Saretsky and Mike Whitaker, Amitabh Kant, and CEO Pieter Elbers. The CMG is monitoring operations closely, coordinating efforts to stabilize schedules, and ensuring customer concerns regarding refunds, rescheduling, and baggage are addressed.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have intervened with measures including:

• Capping soaring airfares to prevent exploitative pricing during the disruptions.
• Issuing a show-cause notice to IndiGo for massive operational failures.
• Directing the airline to expedite refunds and luggage handling for all affected passengers, both direct and indirect bookings, with a deadline set for Sunday evening.

Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Cooperation, Murlidhar Mohol, stressed that the government is closely monitoring the situation. “Immediate action has been taken against IndiGo for not adhering to Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL). The matter is being taken very seriously, and further action will follow once the investigation committee submits its report,” he told ANI.

Airport-Level Impact

Despite the gradual recovery, individual airports continue to report disruptions:

• Mumbai Airport: As of noon on Sunday, 112 flights were cancelled, slightly down from 146 cancellations earlier in the day.
• Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport: 109 flights were cancelled on Sunday, an improvement from 150 cancellations on Saturday.

The airline said its refund and luggage processing systems are fully operational, aiming to clear the backlog of pending passenger claims in line with DGCA directives.

Passenger Advisory and Outlook

IndiGo has advised travelers to check flight status online before proceeding to airports, given the ongoing adjustments to schedules. Passengers experiencing disruptions are urged to access the airline’s refund portal or contact customer support for assistance.

The airline anticipates that network stabilization will continue through December 10, as additional measures, including improved crew scheduling and operational oversight, take effect. On-time performance has already improved to 75% on Sunday, up significantly from earlier in the week.

While the airline works toward full recovery, the disruptions have highlighted systemic vulnerabilities in scheduling and manpower management in the aviation sector. Experts suggest that IndiGo’s experience could prompt stricter regulatory oversight and operational audits to prevent future crises of this scale.

Key Takeaways for Travelers

• Flights Scheduled: 1,650 IndiGo flights to operate on Sunday.
• Cancellations: 650 flights cancelled nationally; 112 at Mumbai and 109 at Delhi airports.
• Refunds & Baggage: Processes in full operation; passengers advised to claim via online portal or customer support.
• Government Action: DGCA and Ministry of Civil Aviation monitoring operations; investigations underway for regulatory violations.

Passengers affected by the disruptions are expected to find relief through special rail services announced by the Indian Railways, as part of a coordinated effort to manage travel during this crisis. The airline has pledged to continue monitoring and improving its network until operations are fully normalized.

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