For five consecutive days, passengers flying with IndiGo from Chandigarh have faced severe travel disruptions, with the airline cancelling multiple flights and leaving thousands stranded. The ongoing situation has created chaos at the city's airport, affecting plans and causing significant inconvenience.
Scale of the Disruption and Passenger Anguish
The impact of the cancellations is substantial. Over 8,000 travellers have been affected since the disruptions began on February 12, 2024. On a single day, February 16, the airline cancelled at least eight flights connecting Chandigarh to major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Srinagar. This pattern of last-minute cancellations has been repeating daily, leaving passengers frustrated and scrambling for alternatives.
Passengers have reported receiving cancellation messages just hours before their scheduled departure, often late at night or in the early morning. This has forced many to make frantic arrangements, book last-minute tickets on other airlines at much higher costs, or completely alter their travel itineraries. The scene at the airport has been one of confusion and distress as affected individuals queue up at IndiGo counters seeking answers and solutions.
Airline's Response and Offered Remedies
IndiGo has officially acknowledged the disruptions, attributing them to "operational reasons." In a statement, the airline expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to its passengers. It has outlined the standard options available to those whose flights have been cancelled.
The airline is offering affected customers a full refund or the option to rebook their flights on alternative dates. For rebooking, IndiGo is waiving any change fees and fare differences for flights within a specific window. Alternatively, passengers can choose to receive a credit shell for the value of their ticket, valid for future travel. However, for many, especially those with time-sensitive commitments, these solutions have fallen short of addressing the immediate crisis and the additional financial burden incurred.
Broader Impact and Looking Ahead
The prolonged nature of this disruption raises questions about operational planning and passenger communication. The cancellations have not only impacted leisure travellers but also business commuters and those travelling for urgent personal work. The ripple effect is felt across the aviation network, as sudden cancellations on key routes increase demand and prices on other carriers.
As the situation enters its fifth day, passengers are anxiously waiting for normalcy to return to IndiGo's schedule from Chandigarh. The incident underscores the vulnerability of air travel to operational hiccups and the critical need for airlines to have robust contingency plans to minimise passenger hardship during such events. The coming days will be crucial in seeing if IndiGo can stabilise its operations and restore confidence among its flyers from the region.
