Prominent filmmaker Kiran Rao found herself among thousands of passengers severely impacted by widespread flight disruptions from budget carrier IndiGo on Friday. Her international travel plans were thrown into disarray due to repeated delays and a lack of clear communication from the airline.
An 11-Hour Ordeal at Mumbai's T2
Rao was scheduled to fly from Mumbai to Tokyo. However, what should have been a routine journey turned into a marathon wait at the airport. She revealed that over eleven hours had passed since she left her home, a time by which she expected to have already arrived at her destination. Instead, she remained confined within Mumbai Airport's Terminal 2, awaiting confirmed updates from IndiGo staff.
Sharing her frustration with a characteristic blend of humor and sarcasm on Instagram, Rao wrote about her unexpected familiarity with the terminal. "By now (11 hours since I left home) I should've reached Tokyo, but it was nice to get to know Mumbai T2 really well, thanks to IndiGo," she posted. Demonstrating her wit even in inconvenience, she added, "And now I'm checking on how Delhi is doing with GRAP II. Good day, all in all."
IndiGo's Apology and Widespread Cancellations
The incident involving the filmmaker was not isolated. It occurred amidst a wave of operational chaos for the airline, leading to growing online outrage. Facing intense public backlash, IndiGo issued a formal public apology on the same day.
The airline confirmed significant disruptions, stating that all domestic departures from Delhi Airport (DEL) scheduled for December 5, 2025, were cancelled. This drastic step was attributed to severe operational challenges affecting airports across the country.
In its apology, the airline stated, "To each one of our customers - We are truly sorry and will take care. We deeply apologise and understand how difficult the past few days have been for many of you. While this will not be resolved overnight, we assure you that we will do everything in our capacity to help you in the meantime and to bring our operations back to normal at the earliest."
DGCA Steps In, Orders High-Level Review
The scale of the disruptions prompted immediate regulatory action. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ordered the formation of a high-level, four-member committee to investigate the matter thoroughly.
This committee has been tasked with conducting a comprehensive review and assessment of the circumstances that led to the widespread operational failures at IndiGo Airlines in recent days. The move underscores the seriousness with which aviation authorities are treating the incident that left countless passengers, including high-profile individuals like Kiran Rao, stranded and frustrated.
The combination of passenger distress, celebrity spotlight, and regulatory scrutiny marks a significant crisis for India's largest airline, highlighting vulnerabilities in its operational resilience during peak challenges.
