India's largest airline, IndiGo, is facing severe operational turmoil, leading to widespread passenger anger and protests at major airports across the country. The crisis, now entering its third day, has resulted in the cancellation of hundreds of flights, leaving thousands of travellers stranded and furious.
Three Days of Travel Chaos and Airport Protests
The disruptions began on Tuesday and escalated significantly by Wednesday. At least 200 IndiGo flights were cancelled on Wednesday alone, with the number still standing at a staggering 180 cancellations as of early Thursday. The impact was felt most acutely at key aviation hubs including Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, and Bengaluru.
Frustrated passengers, many of whom had been waiting at terminals for over 12 hours, staged spontaneous protests. The discontent boiled over into chants of "Bandh Karo, Bandh Karo" (Stop it, stop it), capturing the widespread dismay. A video of these protests, filled with expressions of frustration, went viral on social media, amplifying the public outcry.
Social Media Erupts with Passenger Anger and Divided Opinions
The online reaction mirrored the chaos on the ground. While many passengers shared harrowing tales of mismanagement, public opinion was divided on the protests themselves.
Passengers voiced severe criticism of the airline's handling of the situation. One user highlighted a complete lack of communication, stating, "IndiGo flight mess-up at Pune Airport... no passenger intimation at the boarding gate, no staff, passengers forced to manage themselves." Another shared a personal ordeal: "My IndiGo flight from Pune to Delhi is delayed by more than 3.5 hours. There are many fliers who have been waiting at the airport for more than 12 hours."
However, some online commentators warned protesters about potential consequences. One user advised, "Don't do such nonsense at airports… if you are put on a no-fly list then lifelong you cannot board a flight." Amidst the criticism, a handful of users expressed continued support for the carrier, with one commenting, "@indigo.6e is one of my fav airlines... I know you will manage to get over this."
IndiGo's Explanation and the Root Cause
In an official statement on Wednesday, IndiGo, which operates nearly 2,200 daily flights, issued a sincere apology and admitted its operations were "significantly disrupted." The airline pointed to a perfect storm of challenges that compounded to create the crisis.
The primary trigger, as per the airline's explanation, was its failure to adequately adjust to new government regulations regarding Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) for crew. This roster planning issue was exacerbated by other factors including:
- Minor technology glitches
- Schedule changes for the winter season
- Adverse weather conditions
- Increased congestion in the aviation system
The airline described this combination as a "multitude of unforeseen operational challenges" that had a "negative compounding impact." The fallout has been significant, with travellers noting the episode has badly damaged IndiGo's reputation for reliability. The market also reacted, with the airline's share price taking a hit amidst the ongoing disruptions.
