Key points
- 650 flights cancelled
- Passengers seek refunds, missing baggage
- Airline targets stabilisation by December 10
DELHI: Chaos continued at major Indian airports as IndiGo struggled to recover from an operational crisis that has triggered mass cancellations, lengthy delays and baggage disruptions for a sixth straight day.
The low-cost carrier, which operates around 2,300 flights daily and holds roughly 60% of India’s domestic market, cancelled about 650 flights on Sunday — nearly 28% of its schedule — while rescheduling several others. IndiGo said it operated 1,650 domestic and international services during the day, reports Hindustan Times.
At Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, passengers crowded airline counters seeking refunds, rebookings and updates on missing luggage, with dozens of unclaimed bags lined up in the arrivals area. Many travellers reported being stranded for days, including those with medical emergencies and time-sensitive journeys.
Limited passenger options
Airport officials said Sunday’s cancellations included at least 118 flights in Delhi, 112 in Mumbai, 76 in Kolkata, 61 in Hyderabad, 21 in Ahmedabad and 14 in Patna. IndiGo had cancelled 850 flights on Saturday and 1,600 on Friday, deepening concerns over limited passenger options in a market widely seen as a duopoly.
IndiGo has told authorities the disruption stemmed from “misjudgment and planning gaps” in adapting to crew fatigue rules that it had two years to prepare for. The regulator DGCA issued a show-cause notice to CEO Pieter Elbers on Saturday, holding him directly accountable for planning and oversight lapses and seeking an explanation within 24 hours. IndiGo has been granted a one-time extension until Monday evening.
The airline said it expects operations to stabilise by December 10, with 137 of 138 destinations functioning. A Crisis Management Group set up by IndiGo’s board is monitoring the situation and overseeing refunds and waivers.
