IndiGo Experiences Record Domestic Flight Cancellations of Over 500 and Delays, Skyrocketing Airfares to Nearly ₹70,000 on Popular Routes, with Minimum Fare at ₹20,000 Amid Ongoing Service Issues

Published on December 5, 2025

IndiGo is grappling with record disruptions, experiencing over 500 flight cancellations and extensive delays across its domestic network. This operational crisis has caused airfares on popular domestic routes to skyrocket to nearly ₹70,000, with the minimum fare rising to ₹20,000, reflecting the strain on the airline’s capacity. These issues are a result of ongoing service challenges, including crew shortages and changes in pilot regulations, which have led to widespread frustration among travelers. As IndiGo struggles to restore normalcy, passengers are left dealing with the financial and logistical impacts of the situation.

India’s largest airline, IndiGo, is currently facing one of its most significant operational disruptions in recent years, with a cascade of flight cancellations, extensive delays, and a surge in domestic airfares. This crisis, affecting major airports across the country, has sparked chaos for passengers and put a strain on the airline’s service promise. As IndiGo works to stabilize operations, the ripple effects are being felt across the Indian aviation sector, with increased costs and widespread frustration.

Cancellations and Delays: The Scale of the Disruption

On December 5, IndiGo was forced to cancel over 589 flights nationwide, resulting in long queues, crowding, and widespread confusion at major airports. The airline, which typically operates a large portion of domestic flights, has been hit hard by the disruptions. Key airports, including those in Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, have seen the highest number of cancellations and delays.

• Delhi: Over 220 cancellations
• Bengaluru: More than 100 cancellations
• Hyderabad: Over 90 cancellations
• Kolkata: Numerous cancellations and delays
• Thiruvananthapuram: Ongoing disruptions for three consecutive days

As a result of these cancellations, airlines across the country are experiencing significant operational challenges, with many travelers forced to wait for hours for rebookings and rescheduled flights. In response, Delhi Airport issued advisories advising passengers to check the status of their flights before heading to the terminal.

Skyrocketing Airfares Amid Disruptions

As flights are cancelled and seats become limited, airfare prices have skyrocketed on several popular domestic routes. For many travelers, the cost of flying within India has become prohibitively expensive. For example, on December 5, fares on key routes were recorded at the following rates:

• New Delhi-Chennai: ₹68,932 (SpiceJet, via connecting flight)
• Delhi-Bengaluru: ₹39,101 (Akasa Air)
• Ahmedabad-Mumbai: ₹20,359 (IndiGo)
• Kolkata-Mumbai: ₹31,444 (Akasa)
• Kolkata-Bengaluru: ₹24,176 (Akasa)
• Pune-Kolkata: ₹24,948 (IndiGo)
• Pune-Hyderabad: ₹17,501 (Star Air)

Even the most affordable flights have been difficult to come by, with a one-way ticket on the heavily congested Delhi-Mumbai sector priced at ₹35,952, while alternative routes via Air India exceeded ₹50,000. The Delhi-Bengaluru route, already impacted by crew shortages, saw prices surge past ₹40,000 on several flights.

In a stark comparison, international flights became more affordable than domestic travel. For instance, fares on international routes such as:

• Delhi-Dubai: ₹23,000
• Bengaluru-Dubai: ₹18,000

…were cheaper than domestic options, highlighting the mounting pressure on the Indian aviation market amid the ongoing disruptions.

Root Cause of the Operational Crisis

The disruption has been attributed to changes in the Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules, which were introduced to improve pilot fatigue management. These regulations aim to ensure that pilots receive adequate rest between shifts, but they have had unintended consequences on IndiGo’s operations.

Key changes in the FDTL rules include:

• Increase in mandatory weekly rest: From 36 to 48 hours
• Reduction in night landings: From 6 to 2 per week
• Expansion of ‘night hours’: Restricting available duty time for pilots
• Stricter rostering norms: Affecting crew availability and scheduling

These changes have led to a shortage of available flight crew, contributing to the widespread flight cancellations. As crew availability dwindled, the airline was unable to operate flights as scheduled, exacerbating the crisis.

IndiGo’s Response and Efforts to Recover

In a bid to stabilize operations, IndiGo’s leadership has publicly acknowledged the service disruptions and expressed commitment to normalizing flight schedules. The airline has issued a formal apology to customers and assured them that efforts are underway to restore punctuality.

The airline’s leadership has also assured employees that the situation will improve, though privately, officials have admitted that it may take several days—or longer—before full recovery occurs, especially if crew availability issues persist.

“We have faced tough moments before, but as one team, we will overcome this challenge and emerge even stronger,” the airline stated in a letter to employees. These comments reflect a strong determination to recover from the operational setback, even as the airline continues to grapple with the implications of the FDTL rule changes.

The Broader Impact on Indian Aviation

This crisis at IndiGo has not only affected the airline itself but has also had a ripple effect on the wider aviation sector. As India’s largest airline, IndiGo carries a significant portion of the country’s air traffic. With its operations disrupted, other airlines are now experiencing higher demand on key routes, leading to increased ticket prices and fewer available seats for passengers.

The rise in airfares has made it more expensive for travelers to move across India, especially as the holiday season approaches. This has further strained a population already grappling with the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic and rising living costs.

Additionally, with cancellations and delays becoming a recurring issue, passengers are increasingly turning to alternative modes of transportation, such as trains or long-distance buses, for their travel needs. This shift could have long-term effects on air travel demand in the coming months.

What Travelers Can Expect Moving Forward

While IndiGo has promised to stabilize its operations, the airline industry in India is likely to remain in flux for the foreseeable future. Passengers are advised to check flight statuses before heading to the airport and to be prepared for potential delays. Travelers should also be aware of the possibility of higher airfares in the wake of the operational disruptions.

In the meantime, the airline is working to implement short-term measures to stabilize its operations, including adjusting schedules, increasing crew availability, and ensuring that critical routes are prioritized.

IndiGo is experiencing record disruptions with over 500 cancellations and delays, leading to a sharp rise in domestic airfares to nearly ₹70,000, with the minimum fare at ₹20,000, due to ongoing service issues and crew shortages.

The ongoing disruptions at IndiGo highlight the challenges faced by airlines in managing complex, large-scale operations while adhering to safety regulations. As the airline works to overcome this operational crisis, the broader impact on airfares and passenger convenience will likely continue to be felt in the coming weeks. For now, travelers are advised to stay informed and plan accordingly to avoid the chaos that has gripped India’s airports.