Passengers flying out of Bengaluru are facing a fresh wave of travel misery as IndiGo, India's largest airline, has cancelled a significant number of flights. The airline has scrapped 73 flights originating from Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru, citing a severe shortage of crew members. This mass cancellation has left hundreds of travelers stranded and scrambling for alternatives.
Widespread Disruption at Major Hubs
The flight cancellations are not isolated to Bengaluru. Airline sources indicate that similar disruptions are highly likely at Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in the coming days. The core issue is a cascading effect of crew unavailability, which is crippling operations. IndiGo has officially acknowledged the problem, stating that the cancellations are a result of various factors including unforeseen crew absences.
This incident adds to a growing list of passenger woes at Indian airports, which have recently included long queues, baggage handling delays, and technical glitches. The situation at Bengaluru airport has been particularly tense, with affected passengers expressing frustration over last-minute notifications and a lack of immediate support for rebooking or refunds.
Root Causes and Passenger Fallout
The primary reason cited for the cancellations is a shortage in cockpit and cabin crew. Industry experts point to a combination of factors: higher-than-usplanned leave, training schedules, and the logistical challenges of repositioning staff across the network. This shortage has forced the airline to rationalize its schedule, leading to the abrupt grounding of dozens of flights.
For passengers, the impact has been severe. Many received cancellation messages only hours before their scheduled departure, throwing travel plans into disarray. The alternatives offered often involve much longer wait times or circuitous routes via other cities. The financial and emotional toll on business travelers, families, and those with connecting international flights is significant.
Looking Ahead: More Troubles for Hyderabad?
The aviation sector is now closely watching Hyderabad. If the crew shortage issue persists, the city's airport could witness a similar wave of cancellations, potentially affecting both domestic and international routes operated by IndiGo. The airline has advised passengers to check their flight status regularly before heading to the airport.
This episode raises serious questions about operational resilience and workforce planning within the rapidly expanding Indian aviation market. While airlines are adding new aircraft and routes at a record pace, ensuring a corresponding growth in trained, available crew appears to be a critical bottleneck. For now, travelers are advised to build in extra buffer time and stay in close contact with their airlines for updates, as the skies over India's tech capitals remain uncertain.
