For the fifth consecutive day, major airports across India witnessed significant disruption as IndiGo, the country's largest carrier, struggled with mass flight cancellations and delays. The airline, however, stated on Saturday that it is making progress in bringing its operations back on track, with the number of cancelled flights dropping significantly.
IndiGo's Recovery Efforts and Official Statement
In an official statement released on Saturday, December 6, IndiGo confirmed that its teams are intensely focused on restoring schedules, minimizing delays, and assisting passengers impacted by the widespread disruption. The airline provided a crucial update, noting a positive trend in its recovery efforts.
The number of flight cancellations has now dropped below 850, a figure substantially lower than the previous day. IndiGo expressed its commitment to progressively reducing this number over the coming days as recovery initiatives continue. The carrier expects further reductions in cancellations in the near future.
Government Intervention and Passenger Compensation
The Ministry of Civil Aviation stepped in on Saturday, issuing a direct order to IndiGo. The ministry has mandated the airline to provide compensation to all passengers whose flights were cancelled or severely disrupted. The deadline for these payments is set for 8:00 PM on Sunday, December 7, 2025.
In its official statement, the ministry also instructed airlines, including IndiGo, to waive any rescheduling fees for passengers whose travel plans were affected by the cancellations. A stern warning was issued, stating that any delay or failure to process refunds would invite strict regulatory action from the authorities.
Root Cause and On-Ground Chaos
The core reason behind the operational meltdown is an acute shortage of pilots. This crisis was triggered by new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules, which increased weekly rest periods to 48 hours, extended night operation limits, and reduced permitted night landings to two. Although the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) later withdrew these rules due to the deteriorating situation, the damage to flight schedules was already severe.
On Saturday, the disruption remained intense, with over 400 flights cancelled at four major airports alone, leaving thousands of passengers stranded and frustrated. The situation turned particularly volatile at Mumbai Airport, where agitated IndiGo passengers engaged in a heated argument with airline staff at the ticket counter. The passengers were protesting the nationwide cancellations and demanding clear updates on their travel plans.
Refunds and Passenger Advisory
Addressing customer concerns, IndiGo stated that it is processing all refunds for cancelled flights on a priority basis. The airline is coordinating with airport partners to ensure timely updates are communicated to affected customers directly at terminals, via the official website, and through SMS or app notifications.
The airline strongly advises all passengers to check the latest flight status on its official website or app before leaving for the airport. This step is crucial to avoid unnecessary travel and long waits at the terminals during this period of recovery.
