India VIRAL NEWS

IndiGo Flight Cancellations Live: Fourth Day of Disruptions, Over 1,000 Flights Grounded; Chaos at Airports Nationwide

December 6, 2025
SHUBHAM YADAV

IndiGo Flight Cancellations Live , New Delhi: India’s largest airline, IndiGo, continued to grapple with massive operational disruptions for the fourth straight day on Saturday, triggering nationwide chaos for passengers. The airline, which normally operates around 2,300 flights daily and handles nearly two-thirds of India’s domestic air traffic, has cancelled more than 1,000 flights on Friday alone, following over 550 cancellations on Thursday.

On Saturday morning, Delhi Airport authorities said that IndiGo’s operations were “gradually returning to normal”, though aviation experts predict the ripple effects could last for days.

What Triggered the Meltdown?

IndiGo earlier admitted that the unprecedented number of cancellations and delays stemmed from planning lapses and miscalculations during the implementation of Phase 2 of the Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) — the new crew duty and rest regulation framework.

The new rules, implemented to enhance flight safety and prevent pilot fatigue, caused major personnel shortages due to inadequate scheduling buffers and misjudged crew availability.

Government Orders High-Level Inquiry

Taking serious note of the disruption, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has ordered a high-level investigation to determine:

  • What triggered the scheduling collapse

  • Who is responsible for the operational mismanagement

  • Whether safety and regulatory norms were compromised

Officials have also sought detailed reports from IndiGo, DGCA, and airport authorities.

CEO Promises Full Normalization by December 15

IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers, addressing the media on Saturday, expressed confidence that normal flight schedules will be restored by December 15.

He acknowledged the airline’s error in planning and reiterated that the airline is deploying additional crews, adjusting schedules, and working with regulators to stabilize operations.

Long Queues, Panic, and Passenger Anguish Across India

Chennai Airport: Long Queues and Stranded Passengers

Visuals from Chennai International Airport showed massive queues snaking across terminals as dozens of IndiGo flights were cancelled or rescheduled without prior notice. Passengers complained about:

  • Lack of timely updates

  • Poor crowd management

  • Delayed baggage handling

  • Limited assistance at help desks

Some flyers reported being stranded for over 5–7 hours.

Dehradun Airport Hit Hard: All IndiGo Flights Cancelled

The disruptions severely impacted smaller airports as well, especially Dehradun’s Jolly Grant Airport, where IndiGo cancelled all 12–13 scheduled flights on Friday.

100+ Passengers Affected

According to airport officials, around 100 passengers were directly affected, though the number could be higher when including connecting flights.

Chaos at the Terminal

Friday turned into a nightmare for travellers after sudden mass cancellations:

  • Several passengers arrived at the terminal with no prior SMS or email alerts

  • Long queues formed at the check-in area

  • Families, tourists, and students were seen waiting for hours without clarity

  • Many complained of missed connections, hotel losses, and rescheduling costs

Airport sources confirmed that a special help desk was set up by IndiGo to assist stranded passengers, but the crowd far exceeded the desk’s handling capacity.

Passengers Furious Over Lack of Communication

Many travellers took to social media tagging aviation authorities, complaining that they were not informed in time, forcing them to spend hours inside the terminal with no alternative travel options.

Dehradun Airport Hit Hard:

Industry Experts: “One Airline’s Collapse Affects Entire Indian Aviation Network”

Aviation analysts noted that IndiGo’s meltdown is affecting:

  • Airport slot utilization

  • Air traffic flow

  • Crew rotational patterns

  • Connecting flight schedules

  • Other airlines’ on-time performance

Because IndiGo dominates the domestic market, even minor disruptions can create large-scale cascading effects across the aviation ecosystem.

Government Steps In — High-Level Inquiry Ordered

Taking note of the worsening situation, the Civil Aviation Ministry has ordered a high-level investigation into the root causes of the crisis. The inquiry will examine:

Key Areas of Investigation

  • Whether IndiGo violated FDTL norms prior to the collapse

  • If the airline misrepresented crew availability

  • What part of the planning error caused the crew-shortage shock

  • The role of internal management decisions

  • Potential safety implications

  • Corrective action needed to prevent future collapses

The DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) has also sought a detailed operational assessment report from IndiGo, including pilot rosters, crew scheduling sheets, and communication logs.

CEO Pieter Elbers: “Operations Will Normalize by December 15”

IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers addressed the media on Saturday, admitting the crisis and apologizing to passengers. He stressed that the airline is:

  • Mobilizing additional pilots

  • Adjusting rosters

  • Cancelling flights proactively rather than at the last minute

  • Working with DGCA to restore operational balance

Elbers expressed confidence that full normalcy will return by December 15, though experts warn that clearing the backlog may take several more days.

Passenger Chaos Across India — A Nationwide Breakdown

Chennai Airport: Massive Queues and Frustration

At Chennai International Airport, long queues stretched across the terminal as many IndiGo flights were cancelled without prior notice. Passengers reported:

  • Hours-long waiting times

  • Confusion at boarding gates

  • Lack of airline staff during rush hours

  • Difficulty receiving refunds or rescheduling options

Several families said they missed weddings, international connections, medical appointments, and job interviews due to the last-minute cancellations.

Dehradun Airport Worst Hit Among Tier-II Cities

The situation was equally severe at Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun, where IndiGo cancelled all 12–13 scheduled flights on Friday.

More Than 100 Passengers Affected

Around 100 passengers were directly impacted, though the figure may be much higher considering connecting flights cancelled across the network.

Scenes of Panic and Confusion

Passengers arriving at the airport were shocked to learn of cancellations, as many received no advance SMS or email alerts. According to eyewitnesses:

  • People were running between counters seeking information

  • Elderly passengers struggled without assistance

  • Tourists were stranded with hotel and travel bookings wasted

  • Students reported being stuck for hours with no clarity

To manage the unrest, IndiGo set up a special help desk, but the crowd far exceeded the staff’s capacity.

The Road Ahead for IndiGo

To regain stability and public trust, IndiGo will need to:

  • Rebuild crew schedules with new FDTL-compliant buffers

  • Strengthen internal planning systems

  • Improve communication with passengers

  • Increase pilot recruitment

  • Implement better fatigue management systems

Aviation analysts say the airline will face heavy financial losses, including refunds, rebooking charges, passenger compensation, and penalties…

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