IndiGo, India’s largest airline, faced a major operational crisis this week, cancelling at least 150 flights over two days and delaying many more. The disruption caused significant passenger distress at major airports. The airline has now apologised and outlined steps to return to normalcy. Here is a complete guide to what happened, where, and why.
What Is The Full Schedule & Scale of Cancellations?
The disruptions were at their worst on Tuesday and Wednesday, hitting IndiGo’s network across the country. The chaos didn’t stay in one region; it spread through India’s busiest airports, creating a chain reaction that threw schedules off track everywhere.
Specific data from airport sources reveals the extent of the cancellations:
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Delhi (IGI Airport): 67 flights cancelled
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Mumbai: 32 flights cancelled
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Bengaluru: 42 flights cancelled
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Hyderabad: 33 flights cancelled (14 on Tuesday, 19 on Wednesday)
The figures include both domestic and international services, leaving thousands of passengers stranded.
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Why Did IndiGo Cancel So Many Flights?
In an official statement, the airline cited a “range of unforeseen operational challenges.” These included:
- Minor technology glitches in check-in systems.
- Adverse weather conditions and general air traffic congestion.
The introduction of new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL)—rules designed to restrict pilot work hours and reduce fatigue. IndiGo claimed adapting to these rules had an unanticipated “negative compounding impact” on crew scheduling.
The Pilots’ Federation’s Counterclaim:
The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) strongly disagreed. It stated the cancellations “cannot be attributed” to the court-mandated FDTL rules. Instead, the FIP alleged the crisis was a “direct consequence” of IndiGo’s “prolonged and unorthodox lean manpower strategy.” It noted other airlines, which planned for the new rules, remained largely unaffected.
Your Questions Answered: IndiGo Flight Disruption FAQs
Q: What is IndiGo doing to fix this situation?
A: The airline has begun “calibrated adjustments” to its schedule, meaning planned cancellations to build buffer. This recovery plan will remain in place for 48 hours to help stabilise the entire network.
Q: What are my options if my flight was cancelled?
A: IndiGo states that affected customers are being offered alternate travel arrangements or refunds, as applicable. Passengers should contact IndiGo customer support or visit the airport help desk for rebooking.
Q: What should I do before heading to the airport for an IndiGo flight?
A: The airline has urged all passengers to mandatorily check their real-time flight status on the IndiGo website before leaving for the airport.
Q: Were other airlines also disrupted?
A: Yes, but on a different scale. A brief global outage of the Amadeus check-in software on Tuesday night caused delays for Air India, Akasa Air, and SpiceJet. However, the mass, prolonged cancellations were unique to IndiGo.
Q: Who is ultimately responsible for this crisis?
A: There are two explanations. IndiGo blames a combination of outside problems and new rules. The pilots’ union argues the real issue comes from internal manpower mismanagement.
What Is The Official Update From IndiGo?
The airline issued a formal apology on Wednesday evening, acknowledging the “significant disruption.” Key points from their update include:
- A sincere apology for the inconvenience caused to customers.
- Assurance that steady efforts are underway to stabilise operations.
- A promise to assist affected passengers with rebookings or refunds.
- A 48-hour window for the “calibrated adjustments” to bring back on-time performance
