India's largest airline, IndiGo, is grappling with a severe operational crisis that has now stretched into its sixth consecutive day, causing massive travel chaos across the country. The airline has cancelled hundreds of flights, leaving thousands of passengers stranded at major airports from Delhi to Mumbai.
Scale of the Disruption: Cancellations and Stranded Passengers
The scale of the problem became starkly evident on Sunday, December 7, when IndiGo was forced to cancel a staggering 650 flights. The airline managed to operate only 1,650 of its scheduled 2,300 daily flights. The impact was most severe at the country's busiest hubs. According to PTI reports, 109 flights were cancelled at Delhi airport and 112 at Mumbai airport on Sunday alone.
This follows a pattern of severe disruptions that began earlier in the week. On Friday, the carrier had cancelled around 1,600 flights800 cancellations on Saturday. The ripple effect has been widespread hardship. Passengers have shared harrowing accounts of being stuck for days, with one flyer expecting to return to Delhi on Friday from Patna only managing to arrive on Sunday.
Frustration has boiled over at airport terminals, with videos circulating online showing agitated passengers confronting ground staff. Amid the chaos, some travellers attempted to lift spirits through impromptu singing and dancing.
Regulatory Scrutiny and Government Response
The crisis has drawn sharp reactions from aviation authorities and the government. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a showcause notice to IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers, holding the airline's management responsible for "significant lapses in planning, oversight and resource management." The regulator has given the CEO 24 hours to respond, warning of potential enforcement action.
Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, stated that the centre is monitoring the situation seriously. He highlighted the "mental harassment" endured by passengers and assured that immediate action would follow the investigation committee's report. The minister pointed to potential violations of Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms.
To provide relief, the Indian Railways has announced 89 special trains across all zones over three days, starting Saturday. These trains, making over 100 trips, are aimed at connecting major cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Patna, and Howrah. Railway divisions are sharing this information at airports to guide stranded flyers.
IndiGo's Roadmap to Recovery and Internal Crisis Management
In an official communication, IndiGo issued an apology and outlined its recovery plan. The airline stated it aimed to operate over 1,500 flights by the end of Sunday and expressed confidence in stabilising operations by December 10. It claimed that 95% of its network connectivity has been re-established, with flights now operating to 135 out of its 138 destinations.
Internally, the airline's Board of Directors was briefed on the crisis from the first day. A dedicated Crisis Management Group has been formed, comprising the chairman, directors, and CEO Pieter Elbers. This group is meeting regularly to oversee restoration efforts and provide updates to the board.
As the nation watches, the focus remains on whether IndiGo can meet its December 10 deadline to restore normalcy and regain the trust of millions of passengers who rely on its services.
