Flight Cancellations Trigger Taxi Fare Exploitation in Chandigarh
For the third day in a row, major flight disruptions at Chandigarh International Airport (CHIAL) have created a crisis for travelers. With multiple cancellations, particularly on the crucial Chandigarh-Delhi sector, cab and taxi operators have seized the opportunity to charge exorbitant fares from desperate, stranded passengers.
Passengers Pay Double Amid Travel Chaos
The situation peaked on Friday when all IndiGo flights to Delhi were cancelled due to operational issues. This left many travelers, especially those with international connections from Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, scrambling for alternatives. The immediate consequence was a sharp spike in road transport costs.
Passengers reported paying between Rs 8,000 and Rs 10,000 for a one-way taxi ride from Chandigarh to Delhi. This represents a massive jump from the normal fare range of Rs 5,000 to Rs 6,000.
One affected couple, Arun Kumar and Naina, who were traveling to Canada, shared their ordeal. "We had no option but to book a cab after our Delhi flight was cancelled," they said. "We paid Rs 10,000 for a taxi to IGI. Just last week, our friends made the same journey for Rs 5,500."
Widespread Flight Disruptions Across Multiple Airlines
The crisis was not limited to a single airline or destination. Officials at CHIAL confirmed that a total of 17 flights were cancelled on Friday alone. The affected destinations included:
- Delhi
- Kolkata
- Goa
- Patna
- Bengaluru
- Mumbai
- Srinagar
- Dharamshala
Beyond cancellations, numerous other flights faced significant delays. Operations of Air India and Air India Express were also impacted, with delays ranging from 26 minutes to nearly five hours. The cumulative effect left hundreds of passengers anxious and forced to seek last-minute road travel options, with many choosing to avoid the airport entirely.
IndiGo CEO Issues Public Apology for Nationwide Snag
Amid mounting passenger anger and frustration across the country, IndiGo issued a formal public apology on Friday. The airline's CEO, Pieter Elbers, addressed customers directly through a video message posted on the company's official 'X' handle.
Elbers described December 5 as the worst-hit day, with over 1,000 IndiGo flights affected nationwide. "To each one of our customers — we are truly sorry and we will take care," he stated. "We deeply apologise and understand how difficult the past few days have been for many of you."
The CEO acknowledged that the situation would not be fixed immediately but assured passengers that the airline is working to rectify the operational snag. He expressed hope to normalise operations within 48 hours. "We assure you that we will do everything in our capacity to help you in the meantime and bring our operations back to normal as soon as possible," Elbers added.
The apology comes after days of severe disruptions that have caused chaos at several major Indian airports, including Chandigarh, highlighting the vulnerability of air travelers to systemic failures and the subsequent exploitation by alternative transport providers.
