Passengers across India are facing significant travel disruptions as IndiGo, the country's largest airline, continues to grapple with widespread flight delays and cancellations for the third consecutive day. The chaos has left thousands of travelers stranded and scrambling for real-time updates on their journeys.
Scale of the Disruption and Root Cause
The situation reached a critical point on Wednesday, December 4, 2025, with over 250 IndiGo flights estimated to be cancelled across major Indian airports. The airline's operational reliability has plummeted dramatically. Data shows its On-Time Performance (OTP) crashed to a mere 19.7% on Wednesday, a sharp decline from 35% on Tuesday and around 50% on Monday.
The primary driver behind this massive operational breakdown is a severe crew shortage. This shortage has been triggered by the implementation of new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules, which regulate the working hours of flight crew to ensure safety. The airline is struggling to immediately align its rostering with these updated regulations.
Airline's Recovery Plan and Passenger Advisory
In response to the crisis, IndiGo has formally notified the aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), of its recovery strategy. The airline plans to start reducing its flight operations from Monday, December 8, 2025. This proactive reduction is aimed at minimising further disruption and creating a more manageable schedule.
However, passengers should brace for more immediate inconvenience. The airline has indicated that more cancellations are likely over the next two to three days as part of its initial schedule stabilisation efforts. IndiGo expects its operations to be fully normalised and stable by February 10, 2026.
How to Check Your IndiGo Flight Status Online
With schedules in flux, staying informed is crucial. Here is a simple guide to check the live status of your IndiGo flight using the official website and mobile app.
Via IndiGo Website:
- Visit the official IndiGo website at www.goindigo.in or goindigo.com.
- Click on the 'Trips' tab on the top navigation bar, then select 'Flight Status'.
- On the Flight Tracker page, enter your flight number or booking PNR.
- Select your departure and arrival cities, along with your travel date from the calendar.
- Click the 'Search Flight' button.
- The system will display the live status: On Time, Delayed, Departed, Landed, or Cancelled. Delayed or cancelled flights are typically highlighted.
The page will show both the scheduled and revised timings, along with terminal and gate information where applicable.
Via IndiGo Mobile App:
- Download the official IndiGo app from the Google Play Store (Android) or Apple App Store (iOS).
- After installation, grant the necessary permissions when prompted.
- Navigate to the 'Flight Status' section from the home screen or bottom menu.
- Enter your flight details—either flight number and date or city pair and date.
- Tap 'Search' or 'Check Status'.
The app provides live departure and arrival times, terminal and gate details, and clear alerts for any delays or cancellations.
Essential Tips for Affected Travelers
To navigate this period of uncertainty, passengers are advised to:
- Refresh the status page multiple times for the most current update before leaving for the airport.
- Always verify your flight status a few hours prior to your scheduled departure time.
- If using the IndiGo app, ensure notifications are switched ON (for logged-in users) to receive instant alerts about any schedule changes.
The ongoing disruption underscores the operational challenges airlines can face with regulatory changes. While IndiGo works towards a long-term solution, passengers must rely on official digital channels for accurate, real-time information to plan their travel effectively.
