India's largest airline, IndiGo, is facing severe operational disruptions, leading to widespread flight cancellations and delays that have stranded thousands of passengers across the country. The crisis, which began earlier this week, has not spared even high-profile celebrities, who have taken to social media to voice their frustration and share their travel nightmares.
Celebrities Vent Frustration on Social Media
The travel woes have impacted several well-known faces from the Indian entertainment industry. Telugu actor Naresh Vijaya Krishna, who is the stepbrother of superstar Mahesh Babu, was among the first to highlight the chaos. On Wednesday, December 3, 2025, he posted a video on his X (formerly Twitter) account showing crowded airport terminals and closed boarding gates at Hyderabad airport.
He expressed his dismay, writing that the "fun of flying ended in the 90s." Naresh described a scene of a "full-scale battle" between ground staff and passengers, calling the situation "filth." He further lamented the lack of privacy and the stressful environment, wishing for a time machine to return to an era of safer Indian airlines.
The following day, on Thursday, December 4, actor Nia Sharma and singer Rahul Vaidya shared their own harrowing experiences. Sharma revealed on her Instagram Stories that she had to purchase a last-minute domestic flight ticket for a staggering Rs 54,000 after her original IndiGo plans fell apart.
"I have just gotten the most expensive domestic flight ticket and I still don't know if I am going to make it to my destination," she said in a video, adding that her team of four was split across three different flights to reach the same location.
Rahul Vaidya, without directly naming the airline, posted a distressed selfie, stating it was "one of the worst days to fly." He revealed he was at risk of missing a scheduled show in Kolkata due to the travel disruptions, writing, "...we have a show in Kolkata tonight.. and still don't know how we are going to reach there!"
The Scale of the IndiGo Disruption
The incidents shared by celebrities are part of a much larger operational meltdown for the carrier. According to reports, IndiGo cancelled more than 100 flights on Wednesday, with the disruptions continuing into Thursday. The airline's on-time performance (OTP) plummeted to a mere 19.7% on Wednesday, a sharp decline from 35% on Tuesday and around 50% on Monday.
The primary reason cited for the massive schedule breakdown is a severe crew shortage. This shortage has been exacerbated by the recent implementation of new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms, which mandate stricter rest periods for flight crew to ensure safety and reduce fatigue.
While the new rules are designed for passenger and crew safety, the airline appears to have been caught unprepared for the scheduling impact. IndiGo, which commands over 60% of India's domestic air traffic, has been forced to make significant schedule adjustments and cancellations for a 48-hour period to stabilize operations.
Passenger Fallout and Industry Impact
The cascading effect of the cancellations has led to:
- Sky-high last-minute fares on other airlines, as seen in Nia Sharma's case.
- Widespread passenger confusion and anger at major airports like Mumbai, Delhi, and Hyderabad.
- Potential financial and reputational damage to IndiGo, which has long prided itself on operational efficiency.
- Disruption to business and personal travel plans for thousands of flyers during the peak travel season.
The airline has stated it is working to normalize operations, but the episode underscores the fragile nature of air travel infrastructure when faced with regulatory changes and resource constraints. For now, passengers, celebrities and commoners alike, are bearing the brunt of the turbulence on the ground.
