The operational crisis at IndiGo Airlines has stretched into its fourth day, creating a wave of disruption that has left hundreds of passengers stranded across India. The ripple effects are being felt acutely in Kerala's capital, Thiruvananthapuram, where both returning residents and visiting tourists are caught in a logistical nightmare, facing cancelled plans and skyrocketing costs.
Passengers Stranded, Airfares Skyrocket
The situation on the ground is dire for many travelers. Raman N, a resident of Thiruvananthapuram, shared his plight of being stuck in Bhubaneswar. His early morning flight on Saturday was cancelled, and with no immediate alternatives, he faces being stranded for another day or two. "The existing airlines are charging more than 200%," he revealed, highlighting the predatory airfare hikes following the cancellations.
In Thiruvananthapuram itself, the airport witnessed significant disruption. While six services operated on Saturday, a total of 14 arrivals and departures were cancelled, with most routes connecting to major metro cities. The uncertainty has led to a cascade of further cancellations, with many prospective visitors rescheduling their trips after IndiGo's CEO indicated that normal flight schedules may not resume until December 12 or 13.
Tourism Sector in Crisis: Soaring Costs and Lost Revenue
The crisis has delivered a severe blow to the local tourism and hospitality industry. Tourists who are already in Thiruvananthapuram find themselves forced to extend their stays unexpectedly. This sudden demand has led to a sharp increase in accommodation prices, with many budget hotels now charging between Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 for rooms over the weekend and the coming week.
In response to these exploitative rates, the Kerala Travel Mart has stepped in, urgently requesting hotels to refrain from overcharging. The body emphasized that this is a time to assist stranded tourists, not to fleece them. Meanwhile, tour operators are actively working to ensure that stranded visitors get better deals, particularly in popular areas like Kovalam.
Industry Demands Accountability and Compensation
The financial burden on the travel trade has become immense. Tour operators, hoteliers, and service providers are absorbing substantial losses from refunds, penalty charges, rearranged accommodations and transport, and compensatory payouts to affected guests. These measures, while crucial to protect Kerala's reputation as a reliable destination, are unsustainable for the businesses involved.
Consequently, tourism bodies are calling for a structured compensation mechanism. They argue that IndiGo Airlines must take responsibility for the direct financial losses incurred by stakeholders due to its operational failures. An official stated, "A direct liaison point is essential for rapid resolution and real-time information. The current crisis has placed an unfair burden on the travel trade. It is only just that IndiGo compensates the stakeholders who have acted to protect passenger welfare."
The ongoing disruption underscores the vulnerability of the tourism ecosystem to airline instability. As efforts continue to manage the fallout, the industry's demand for accountability points to a larger need for systemic safeguards to protect consumers and businesses from such widespread failures.
