Passengers across India faced severe travel disruption and shocking price surges after budget carrier IndiGo announced a major operational halt. The airline cancelled all of its domestic departures from the national capital's airport on Friday, December 5, 2025.
Widespread Cancellations Trigger Fare Chaos
The sudden and complete cancellation of IndiGo's domestic services from Delhi sent immediate shockwaves through the travel market. With a significant number of flights removed from the schedule, the available seat capacity on other airlines plummeted. This supply crunch triggered an unprecedented spike in last-minute airfares on all major routes originating from Delhi.
Data from various travel portals and airline websites revealed that fares on popular business and leisure routes reached astronomical levels. Tickets on the busy Delhi to Mumbai and Delhi to Bengaluru sectors were being sold for upwards of Rs 1 lakh for a one-way economy class seat. Similar extreme price hikes were observed for flights from Delhi to other metro cities including Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, and Pune.
Passengers Stranded, Alternatives Scarce
The fallout from the cancellations left hundreds, if not thousands, of passengers stranded at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport. Many travellers arrived for their flights only to discover the cancellations, leading to scenes of confusion and frustration. The search for alternative arrangements proved both difficult and prohibitively expensive due to the skyrocketing prices on other carriers.
This crisis highlights the heavy reliance of the Indian domestic aviation market on a few key players. When a major airline like IndiGo, which commands a large market share, faces such a widespread operational issue, the entire network feels the strain. Passengers are left with limited and costly options, disrupting business travel, family visits, and urgent trips.
Looking Ahead: Recovery and Regulatory Scrutiny
While the immediate cause for Friday's mass cancellation was not detailed in the initial alert, such a significant event is likely to draw attention from aviation regulators. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) may seek explanations regarding the cause and the airline's plan to mitigate passenger inconvenience, including compliance with refund and compensation rules.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of air travel logistics. For passengers, it underscores the importance of having flexible travel plans and considering travel insurance for unforeseen disruptions. The industry will be watching closely to see how quickly IndiGo can restore its normal flight schedule from its key Delhi hub and how fare levels adjust in the coming days.
