A massive operational breakdown at IndiGo, India’s largest airline, triggered countrywide disruption on Thursday, leaving thousands of passengers stranded. More than 200 flights were cancelled and many others severely delayed, especially in major hubs like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad.
The aviation regulator DGCA has called IndiGo officials for a meeting, as it evaluates steps to control the worsening situation. The airline has denied knowledge of any formal probe but confirmed that the regulator has sought operational details.
Airport data shows 95 cancellations in Delhi and 85 in Mumbai alone. Bengaluru witnessed 41 cancelled arrivals and 32 cancelled departures, while Hyderabad reported 68 axed services. Other major airports such as Pune, Ahmedabad and Kolkata also suffered heavy delays blamed on operational breakdowns and poor communication.
Frustrated passengers flooded social platforms with complaints of hours-long delays, lack of assistance and unclear updates. The crisis has spilled over to other airlines as IndiGo aircraft occupy parking space at several airports, delaying flight operations for carriers like Air India, Akasa Air and SpiceJet.
Recent disruptions follow months of performance deterioration. IndiGo cancelled over 1,200 flights in November while struggling with insufficient manpower. Despite the advance rollout of new fatigue-management rules for flight crews, airline unions say IndiGo failed to hire enough staff or adjust schedules at the right time, calling the situation a direct result of poor long-term planning.
IndiGo, which operates nearly 2,300 flights every day, cited a combination of tech issues, winter adjustments, heavy congestion and new roster norms for the ongoing chaos, and apologised to passengers. However, nationwide delays continue to mount as the airline battles to stabilise its operations.
