Bengaluru, December 5, 2025 – A deeply distressing incident unfolded at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport on Friday as Namita, a woman travelling with her father’s mortal remains, was left stranded due to the massive flight cancellations by IndiGo. Her flight to Delhi, the first leg of her journey to Haridwar for her father’s asthi visarjan(immersion of ashes), was abruptly cancelled without prior notice, leaving her in a helpless situation.

According to Namita, the cancellation not only disrupted her travel plans but also jeopardised a sacred ritual that could not be postponed. She was scheduled to reach Delhi from Bengaluru and then board a connecting flight to Dehradun, the closest airport to Haridwar, where the immersion in the Ganga river was planned for the following day. “I have to reach Delhi from Bengaluru, then board a flight to Dehradun from Delhi to reach Haridwar. The asthi visarjan has to be done tomorrow,” Namita said in a video statement shared by ANI, visibly distressed.

Flight Disruption and Lack of Support

Namita explained that IndiGo offered no prior notification about the cancellation and provided no alternative arrangements for her urgent travel. The airline suggested she book flights with other carriers, but the exorbitant fares—around ₹60,000 per person—were beyond her means. She lamented that all her preparations and financial resources had gone to waste, and even the partial refund promised by IndiGo would take at least a week, with no clarity on the deductions.

“The flight has been cancelled without any prior notification. Now they are saying that they have no flights for today. They are asking us to book a flight with other airlines. Flight tickets for other flights cost ₹60,000 per person, which I cannot afford… We are not able to reach Haridwar,” she said, appealing directly for government intervention. Namita urged authorities to provide immediate assistance, stressing the urgency of the religious ritual. “I request the government to arrange something for me. My father’s asthi visarjan in Ganga ji is very urgent,” she added.

IndiGo’s Widespread Operational Chaos

The incident is part of a larger crisis affecting IndiGo, India’s largest budget airline, which has been grappling with massive flight disruptions for several days. On Friday, all departure flights from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) were cancelled till midnight, affecting hundreds of passengers, according to airport officials. At Chennai airport, IndiGo also cancelled all departures until 6 pm.

Visuals circulating on social media highlighted long queues at IndiGo counters across multiple airports, with passengers expressing frustration over the lack of communication and uncertainty regarding their flights. The cancellations have impacted thousands of travellers, leaving many stranded without alternatives, including business travellers, tourists, and those on urgent personal or religious journeys, such as Namita.

Causes of the Disruption

Industry experts and aviation authorities have linked the widespread disruptions to recent changes in flight duty rules, which came into effect on November 1, 2025. IndiGo, which operates a high-frequency, high-utilisation flight model, has struggled to implement the second phase of the Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms, particularly for its Airbus A320 fleet.

The Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) held detailed review meetings with the airline to address the operational challenges. In response, the regulator noted that IndiGo had requested operational variations or exemptions from certain FDTL provisions for A320 operations until February 10, 2026 to ensure passenger safety while reducing inconvenience. The airline assured the DGCA that corrective actions were underway and that normal operations would be restored gradually over the coming weeks.

The new FDTL rules have had a particularly significant impact on IndiGo because the airline relies heavily on early-morning and late-night flights, maximizing aircraft utilization. Adjustments to duty time regulations for pilots and crew have forced the airline to temporarily cancel or reschedule numerous flights, creating a ripple effect across the national aviation network.

Passenger Hardships

Namita’s case highlights the human cost of the IndiGo operational crisis. Travellers have faced not only logistical challenges but also emotional and financial strain. Many are being forced to book last-minute flights with other carriers at inflated rates, while others are missing critical events such as funerals, weddings, and official meetings.

In Namita’s situation, the urgency is compounded by the sacred nature of her travel. Asthi visarjan is a time-sensitive ritual, performed according to religious customs to ensure the proper passage of a deceased person’s soul. Missing or delaying the ceremony is considered highly inauspicious, adding a profound emotional dimension to her predicament.

IndiGo’s Response

In a public communication shared on Friday, IndiGo acknowledged the severity of the crisis and apologized to affected passengers. The airline stated, “Today should be the day with the highest number of cancellations, as we are doing all that is necessary to reboot operations.” While expressing regret for passenger distress, the airline emphasized that operational stabilization would be gradual and assured travellers that steps were being taken to normalize flight schedules.

Despite these assurances, passengers like Namita remain skeptical and stressed. Many have expressed frustration over the lack of timely communication, the absence of alternative arrangements, and the uncertainty surrounding refunds.

Wider Implications for Air Travel

The IndiGo crisis has underscored vulnerabilities in India’s aviation sector, particularly for budget carriers operating on high-utilization schedules. Any disruption—whether due to regulatory changes, crew shortages, or technical issues—can have cascading effects on flight schedules and passenger experience. For passengers, the situation reveals the importance of having contingency plans and highlights the need for airlines to improve communication and customer support during crises.

Moreover, the crisis raises questions about regulatory oversight and the balance between operational efficiency and safety compliance. While flight duty regulations are intended to enhance safety, sudden implementation challenges can severely disrupt passenger services if airlines are not adequately prepared.

Conclusion

Namita’s plight serves as a stark reminder of how airline operational failures can profoundly affect individuals, especially when travel is tied to personal or religious obligations. Stranded at Bengaluru Airport with her father’s mortal remains, she faces not only emotional anguish but also an urgent logistical challenge to reach Haridwar in time for the asthi visarjan.

The incident also reflects the broader challenges facing India’s aviation sector amid new regulatory changes, high-frequency operations, and a surge in domestic travel demand. For passengers, the immediate priority remains accessing reliable information, timely refunds, and alternative travel arrangements. For IndiGo, the crisis represents a critical opportunity to enhance operational resilience, strengthen customer communication, and restore public confidence in the airline.

As the airline works toward normalization, Namita and other stranded travellers await intervention from authorities and possible solutions that can ensure they meet urgent personal obligations. Her case, widely reported in the media, may also catalyze greater scrutiny of airline accountability during emergencies, particularly in situations where delays or cancellations have severe emotional or religious consequences.