Chennai Airport on Friday announced the cancellation of several IndiGo flights scheduled to depart until 6 pm, adding another layer to the airline’s ongoing nationwide operational crisis. The disruptions, which have intensified throughout the day, left thousands of passengers stranded at airports across the country, provoking widespread frustration over mismanagement, lack of timely information, and inadequate support infrastructure.

In its public statement, Chennai Airport confirmed that IndiGo had “requested Departure Gates to hold all the passengers booked till 1800 hrs,” pointing to severe internal delays that had left many passengers stuck within the check-in and boarding areas. The advisory highlighted that departures to major metro destinations—including Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, and Hyderabad—were cancelled due to “operational reasons,” marking a significant blow to domestic aviation traffic on one of the busiest travel days of the week.

The situation at Chennai mirrors similar chaos unfolding at airports across India, with Delhi Airport confirming earlier in the day that all IndiGo domestic departures from the national capital had been cancelled until midnight. According to the advisory released by Delhi Airport, cancellations would remain in effect until 23:59 hours on December 5, 2025. The communication also underscored that the operations of all other airlines would continue as scheduled, suggesting that the crisis was specific to IndiGo and not related to broader aviation constraints such as weather or air traffic issues.

The nationwide disruption, which passengers say has been building over several days, has been attributed largely to acute staff shortages, scheduling conflicts, and new regulatory requirements impacting crew duty planning. Many travelers reported being stuck for several hours inside terminal buildings without clear communication from the airline. Some alleged that they received no updates regarding alternate travel arrangements, refunds, or compensation, while others said they had not been provided with basic amenities such as water or meals, despite prolonged waiting periods.

Ground reports from multiple airports indicate that long queues began forming early in the morning, with check-in counters struggling to manage the mounting crowd. As flight boards rapidly changed from “delayed” to “cancelled,” confusion spread among travelers, including families, business passengers, and international transit flyers. Several passengers took to social media to document their distress, sharing videos of crowded terminals, unmanned counters, and conflicting instructions from airport staff.

Amid the mounting backlash, IndiGo’s senior management attended a detailed review meeting with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Thursday. Following the meeting, the aviation regulator released an official statement outlining the key issues and the airline’s proposed solutions. IndiGo has sought temporary operational exemptions from certain provisions of the Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms—rules that govern the maximum number of hours flight crew can work—to stabilize its operations for its A320 fleet. These exemptions, if approved, would remain in effect until February 10, 2026.

According to the DGCA, IndiGo has explained that the exemptions are necessary to maintain safety margins while reducing passenger inconvenience. The airline assured the regulator that corrective measures are already underway, and it has committed to restoring stable and normalized operations by February 10. However, the regulatory statement also emphasized that passenger safety remains paramount, indicating that any relaxation of FDTL constraints will be carefully assessed before implementation.

The ongoing crisis has already resulted in a significant spike in cancellations. IndiGo, which operates the country’s largest fleet and accounts for a major share of domestic flights, has seen as many as 170–200 flights cancelled per day this week—far exceeding normal operational variance. With the airline handling millions of passengers per month, even a small percentage of cancellations can generate cascading disruption across multiple airports, particularly in major hubs such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Chennai.

For passengers, the uncertainty has been both costly and stressful. Business travelers have missed critical meetings, students faced delays reaching exam centers, and families have struggled to navigate sudden interruptions in their travel plans. Some travelers arriving from international destinations were left without onward connectivity, with limited assistance offered by ground teams. Passenger unions and travel associations have already begun calling for clearer guidelines to ensure airlines communicate more responsibly during major operational breakdowns.

The airline’s latest troubles also highlight the growing strains facing India’s civil aviation sector, which has seen rapid expansion in recent years but continues to grapple with manpower shortages, congested airports, and fluctuating regulatory demands. Fleet expansion, increased flight frequency, and growing consumer demand have put additional pressure on operational teams, particularly during peak travel seasons. Several industry experts have commented that IndiGo’s crisis could serve as a wake-up call for airlines and regulators to reassess staffing norms, crew rostering processes, and crisis management mechanisms.

As the day progresses, uncertainty continues to cloud the travel plans of thousands of passengers waiting for clarity on flight status and rebooking options. While IndiGo has promised to restore normal operations in the coming weeks, the immediate fallout remains significant. Many travelers have already begun exploring alternative modes of transport, while others have rebooked flights on competing airlines—though last-minute fares have surged sharply due to sudden demand spikes.

Airports, meanwhile, are working to manage the chaos with enhanced ground staff deployment, rerouting of passengers, and frequent announcements aimed at reducing confusion. Both Chennai and Delhi airports have stated that they are coordinating closely with the airline to minimize inconvenience. However, insiders acknowledge that unless IndiGo resolves its staffing and scheduling issues swiftly, disruptions could persist.

In the coming days, passengers and industry observers will be closely watching how IndiGo implements its corrective measures and whether regulatory authorities approve the requested FDTL relaxations. The airline’s ability to stabilize operations will not only determine its immediate reputation but may also shape the broader narrative of reliability in India’s high-growth aviation sector.

For now, the crisis remains a stark reminder of how deeply interconnected airline operations are across the country—and how quickly a breakdown in one major carrier’s system can ripple across terminals, travel itineraries, and the lives of millions who depend on efficient air travel.