IndiGo apologises after over 1,000 flight cancellations; expects normalcy to return from Dec 10

By Admin

06 Dec, 2025

Introduction
India’s aviation sector faced one of its most turbulent days as IndiGo, the country’s largest airline, cancelled more than 1,000 flights on Friday, December 5, 2025. The widespread disruption not only affected air travel nationwide but also triggered a ripple effect across the entire transportation network. With more cancellations expected on Saturday, passengers were left scrambling for alternatives, pushing fares up and overwhelming railway stations.

Mass Cancellations Across Key Airports
The airline initiated an unprecedented shutdown of operations at major metro airports.

• All departures from Delhi airport were suspended for the entire day as IndiGo attempted a complete system reboot to prevent cascading delays.
  
  

• In Chennai, the airline cancelled all domestic flights.
  
  

• From Bengaluru, all flights to Delhi and Mumbai were called off for the day, stranding thousands of passengers and creating long queues at help desks and ticket counters.
  
  

These large-scale cancellations disrupted schedules across the country, affecting business travelers, tourists, and families returning home.

Why the Crisis Escalated
The mass cancellations came at a time when IndiGo was already grappling with operational challenges and compliance pressures. As flight disruptions grew, airfares on other airlines surged drastically due to sudden demand. Passengers unable to secure last-minute seats were left with no choice but to seek alternate routes.

Government Steps In: Temporary Relief for IndiGo
Recognising the scale of disruption, the government intervened and granted IndiGo temporary relief from complying with new operational rules until February 10. This exemption is aimed at easing immediate pressures on the airline, allowing it time to stabilise operations and implement necessary adjustments without further compromising passenger services.

Railways Boost Capacity Amid Stranded Passengers
With airports overflowing and flight availability shrinking, thousands of stranded flyers headed to nearby railway stations in search of tickets. Demand for long-distance trains, especially air-conditioned coaches, spiked sharply.
Responding swiftly, the Indian Railways augmented capacity across its network, adding extra coaches and accommodating the surge in passenger movement to prevent further travel chaos.

IndiGo’s Response and Expected Recovery Timeline
Facing mounting frustration from passengers, IndiGo issued a formal apology acknowledging the inconvenience caused. The airline reassured travelers that it is taking corrective measures and expects services to return to normal from December 10. The next few days remain critical as IndiGo continues stabilising its systems and reorganising flight schedules.

Impact on Passengers and India’s Travel Sector
This disruption exposed the heavy dependence on IndiGo in India’s domestic aviation network. With a dominant market share, any large-scale operational issue can significantly impact nationwide travel patterns. The surge in demand for alternate transport also highlighted the importance of intermodal connectivity and preparedness during aviation disruptions.

Conclusion
As IndiGo works toward restoring operations, the incident serves as a reminder of the delicate balance required in managing India’s rapidly growing aviation sector. With government support, increased railway capacity, and an expected return to normalcy from December 10, passengers can hope for smoother journeys ahead. However, the events of December 5 and 6 will likely spark deeper conversations on operational resilience, passenger rights, and the need for robust crisis-management frameworks in the aviation industry.