New Delhi – Hundreds of IndiGo flights were cancelled across India on Friday, plunging airports into chaos and leaving thousands of passengers stranded. Amid the operational disruption, a viral video captured the emotional strain faced by travelers, as one passenger pleaded for someone to “tell my boss not to fire me,” highlighting the real-life human toll of the airline’s ongoing crisis.

The airline cancelled all flights from Delhi until midnight, while several other major hubs—including Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Chennai—saw massive disruptions. IndiGo, which operates over 2,200 flights daily, blamed the cancellations on a combination of operational challenges, minor technical glitches, winter schedule adjustments, and new crew rostering rules. However, insiders point to the airline’s struggle in adapting to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s (DGCA) new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) rules as the primary cause of the meltdown.

Passengers Share Frustration Online

Social media has become the main outlet for frustrated passengers, with hundreds of posts, photographs, and videos depicting the disruption. In a widely circulated clip shared by Ayush Kuchya on X, a visibly distressed passenger pleaded: “Mere boss ko sandesh bhej diya jaye ki mereko nikale na please” (Send a message to my boss not to fire me). The video also captured elderly travelers expressing distrust toward the airline and other passengers reporting being stuck due to absent pilots or last-minute cancellations.

Kuchya highlighted the urgency of the situation for his family, stating that his father-in-law is ill but they have no clear updates from the airline. Other users shared scenes from Hyderabad, Pune, and other airports, illustrating long queues, unattended boarding gates, and passengers forced to navigate the chaos largely on their own. Dr. Prashant Pansare described the situation at Pune airport as a “messup,” criticizing the airline for poor communication and inadequate staffing.

Operational Breakdown and Financial Impact

The widespread cancellations and delays have significantly impacted IndiGo’s performance metrics. On Thursday, the airline’s on-time performance at six major metro airports dropped to an unprecedented 8.5%, according to the Civil Aviation Ministry website. The market also reacted, with shares of InterGlobe Aviation Ltd., IndiGo’s parent company, slipping by as much as 3.1% on Friday.

Over the past few days, more than 500 flights have been affected, leaving passengers stranded and scrambling for alternatives. Experts say that with IndiGo commanding 60% of India’s domestic market, even a small lapse in operational planning can result in a systemic breakdown affecting hundreds of flights and thousands of travelers.

Airline Response

In response, IndiGo issued a statement assuring passengers that calibrated adjustments will remain in place over the next 48 hours and that operations would progressively normalize. “Our teams are working around the clock to ease customer discomfort and ensure operations stabilize as quickly as possible,” the airline said, emphasizing efforts to restore punctuality across its network.

Industry analysts note that the airline’s ongoing challenges are largely tied to implementing the DGCA’s FDTL regulations, aimed at preventing crew fatigue. While the rules are essential for safety, IndiGo’s delayed adaptation has exposed weaknesses in operational planning and highlighted the vulnerability of India’s heavily concentrated domestic aviation market.

Human Impact Amid the Chaos

Beyond operational metrics and financial repercussions, the chaos has brought the human cost of airline disruptions into sharp relief. For stranded passengers like the individual captured in the viral video, the inability to reach their destinations has personal and professional consequences, from missing important appointments to risking job security. Families have been left waiting at airports for hours, sometimes overnight, with minimal communication or assistance.

Observers say the current disruption is a cautionary tale for airlines about the importance of proactive communication, contingency planning, and passenger support, especially during periods of regulatory or seasonal change.

Conclusion

IndiGo’s ongoing operational crisis underscores the fragility of India’s domestic aviation network in the face of regulatory changes and peak demand. While the airline works to restore normalcy, passengers remain at the mercy of delayed schedules and limited support. For many travelers, the plea of “don’t fire me” is emblematic of a larger struggle faced by thousands navigating an unprecedented breakdown in one of India’s most relied-upon airlines.