IndiGo flight cancellations LIVE: IndiGo flight disruptions enter day 5
🛑 What’s happening — large-scale cancellations & chaos
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IndiGo has canceled hundreds of flights nationwide over the past several days. On one of the worst days, reports said over 1,000 flights were cancelled across India. (The Indian Express)
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Delhi (all domestic departures cancelled as a precaution), Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and other major airports have been among the hardest hit. (Hindustan Times)
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Passengers have reported being stranded at airports — many without timely updates, stuck with luggage issues, and forced to scramble for alternate travel plans. Terminals at some airports witnessed overcrowding, long queues, and widespread frustration. (The Times of India)
📉 What caused this disruption — Pilot shortage & regulatory changes
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The current disruption is largely attributed to a crew shortage — especially pilots — after new pilot-rest and duty-time rules (called FDTL: Flight Duty Time Limitations) came into effect in November 2025. (The Times of India)
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IndiGo reportedly failed to adjust its scheduling and roster planning to comply with the stricter norms, leading to inability to staff flights properly. (Reuters)
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The airline admitted internal “planning gaps and misjudgment” in response to the rules, rather than technical or weather-related problems. (Reuters)
🗓️ Where we stand — timeline & outlook
| Day | What’s happening / announced |
|---|---|
| Day 1–2 | Initial cancellations begin after FDTL enforcement; dozens of flights cancelled per day. (Hindustan Times) |
| Mid-week | Cancellations spike — 400–550 flights cancelled in a single day. (Hindustan Times) |
| Recent (Day 4–5) | Crisis spreads — cancellations across major hubs, luggage delays, stranded passengers; airline apologises and promises refunds / rebooking help. (AP News) |
| Coming days | IndiGo says situation may stabilise between 10–15 December 2025. They’ve signalled expectation of lower cancellations — but some disruption may continue as operations are “rebooted.” (The Economic Times) |
✅ What IndiGo says they're doing — Refunds, rescheduling, temporary relief
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IndiGo has announced that all cancelled flights from 5–15 Dec will be refunded automatically to the original payment mode. (IndiGo)
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They’ve increased support — contact centers, customer-service teams — and introduced digital assistant support (on their website/app) for refunds, rebooking and flight-status help. (Moneycontrol)
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The airline has requested temporary exemptions / regulatory relief from the enforcement of the new FDTL norms until operations stabilise. (Reuters)
✈️ What you (passengers) should do — Before travelling & if your flight’s affected
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Check flight status online / via app / PNR before leaving for the airport: Use IndiGo’s official “Flight Status” tool. (mint)
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Avoid going to airport unless confirmed — many airports saw crowds and confusion due to sudden cancellations. (The Times of India)
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Have a backup plan — trains/road transport or alternate flights (though ticket prices on other carriers have surged). (The Times of India)
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Document expenses & request refund/rebooking or compensation if applicable. IndiGo has claimed they’ll refund cancelled bookings. (IndiGo)
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Stay updated via official channels (IndiGo website / DGCA / airport advisories). Regulatory/operational changes can affect flight status at short notice. (The Times of India)
⚠️ What remains uncertain & what to watch closely
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It’s unclear whether all flights will indeed resume by mid-December; IndiGo’s estimate depends on it resolving crew scheduling and obtaining regulatory support. (The Economic Times)
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The backlog of cancelled/rescheduled flights plus high demand may lead to further delays or inflated fares for alternate travel. (The Times of India)
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Operational confidence across domestic air travel may take time to rebuild — regulatory oversight & airline readiness will be under scrutiny from regulators and unions. (AP News)