IndiGo Flight Chaos is Slowly Recovering: Civil Aviation Secretary Confirms Operations Back to Near-Normal – What Travellers Need to Know Now!

Published on December 9, 2025

IndiGo, India’s largest airline, has now returned to almost full operational capacity after severe disruptions that plagued its flights for several days. Samir Kumar Sinha, the Civil Aviation Secretary of India, confirmed this significant recovery, citing that IndiGo operated over 1,800 flights on the previous day. While this marks a substantial recovery, it is still slightly below the airline’s usual winter schedule. Along with IndiGo, other major airlines including Akasa, Air India Express, and SpiceJet have resumed operations at full capacity, responding to a surge in demand during the holiday season.

IndiGo’s Recovery Journey: From Chaos to Near-Normalcy

The past few weeks have been nothing short of a nightmare for passengers traveling on IndiGo. Hundreds of flights were canceled, leaving thousands stranded and waiting at airports across the country. The chaos was driven by a combination of issues, including pilot shortages, technical glitches, and stringent new crew duty regulations under the DGCA’s Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL). The situation escalated in early December when IndiGo faced its worst operational crisis in years, resulting in massive delays and widespread cancellations.

However, with new measures now in place, operations have significantly improved. On the previous day, IndiGo operated over 1,800 flights, a move described as “almost back to normal” by Samir Kumar Sinha. This remarkable recovery came after a stringent review by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which had previously instructed IndiGo to cut back on its winter schedule by 5%, a step intended to stabilize operations. The airline had initially ramped up its schedule by 9% from the previous winter, despite not having the operational capacity to handle the increased departures.

In a bid to improve things, IndiGo has been granted temporary exemptions from certain FDTL rules, which have allowed them to reinstate more of their flights. The airline has also aggressively worked on improving its operational processes to prevent any further disruptions.

Refunds and Baggage Delivery: IndiGo Clears Major Backlog

In a positive update for passengers, the Civil Aviation Secretary stated that IndiGo has made significant progress in addressing customer concerns related to refunds and baggage delays. Over the past few days, the airline has processed nearly all outstanding refunds. For the baggage issues that arose during the crisis, Sinha confirmed that nearly 90% of the lost luggage has been returned to passengers, with the remaining bags set to be delivered within the next 24 hours.

This swift resolution of the baggage backlog marks a crucial step toward restoring customer trust and improving IndiGo’s customer service reputation. The airline had come under fire for not only delaying flights but also for leaving passengers’ luggage stranded for long periods. However, with the majority of the baggage now accounted for and the refunds underway, the airline appears to be on the path to making amends.

The Bigger Picture: Impact on Indian Aviation and Recovery Efforts

The flight disruptions at IndiGo serve as a wake-up call for India’s broader aviation industry. While the airline has now managed to regain operational control, the incident has left a significant dent in passenger confidence. Many travelers who had planned their holiday trips or business travel with IndiGo faced massive uncertainty. To address these issues, the government has directed all airlines to improve communication and customer service, especially during high-demand seasons such as winter.

Civil Aviation Secretary Sinha expressed confidence that with these recovery efforts, the aviation sector is headed in the right direction. He assured that all other major airlines have continued to operate at full capacity during this crisis, and while the disruptions caused by IndiGo were unfortunate, the airline is now on track for full operational normalcy.

This recovery also points to the need for better planning and infrastructure within India’s aviation ecosystem. Airlines will be expected to balance the growing demand with the necessary resources — whether it’s crew, technical support, or aircraft availability.

Ongoing Efforts to Stabilize the Indian Air Travel Landscape

Even as IndiGo’s operations stabilize, the industry remains cautious about the future. The government has issued several directives, including the automatic refund of canceled flights, hotel accommodations for stranded passengers, and real-time flight status updates for customers. These steps are expected to improve the experience for travelers in the coming months.

However, with the winter travel season in full swing, there is little room for complacency. The aviation sector must remain agile to handle further potential disruptions and ensure that the public’s trust in air travel is restored. According to Sinha, all stakeholders in the aviation industry — from airline executives to ground staff — will need to work together to ensure that India’s airports and airlines are better prepared to manage future challenges.

Looking Ahead: What This Means for Travelers and the Industry

For passengers, the message is clear: IndiGo is gradually regaining its momentum, and flight disruptions should now be less frequent. The successful delivery of refunds and the swift return of luggage are proof that the airline is committed to resolving the fallout from the past few weeks. Still, travelers should remain cautious when booking flights during peak seasons.

For the aviation industry, IndiGo’s recovery offers lessons in the importance of proactive crisis management. While exemptions to FDTL rules helped stabilize operations temporarily, the incident underscores the need for sustainable growth and better contingency planning. The government’s close oversight, along with DGCA’s intervention, has played a critical role in bringing the airline back on track.

The question now remains whether IndiGo, along with other airlines, can continue to maintain smooth operations throughout the rest of the winter season. As air travel demand spikes, the ability of airlines to deliver consistently will be tested. The recovery process will be long, but with ongoing support and improvement, the airline is expected to regain its lost ground.