Thousands of Passengers Stranded Across Major Airports in India as IndiGo Cancels Over 1000 Flights in Unprecedented Operational Crisis Impacting Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and More

Published on December 5, 2025

Thousands of passengers are stranded across major airports in India as IndiGo cancels over 1,000 flights, sparking an unprecedented operational crisis. The widespread disruption, which has been ongoing for several days, is primarily due to a combination of crew shortages and mismanagement, exacerbated by new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) regulations. Key airports such as Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad have been severely impacted, with travelers facing significant delays, cancellations, and a lack of assistance as the airline scrambles to restore normal operations.

In an ongoing operational crisis that has left thousands of passengers stranded, IndiGo, India’s largest airline, has been forced to cancel more than 1,000 flights in the past few days, creating chaos at major airports across the country. The disruptions, which began early this week, have continued unabated, impacting key hubs such as Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad. As the airline struggles to restore normal operations, passengers have faced long delays, missed connections, and extreme inconvenience. This crisis has unfolded amidst a combination of crew shortages and operational mismanagement, forcing the airline to issue repeated apologies while working to stabilize services.

A Breakdown of the Cancellations and Delays

IndiGo’s cancellation woes began earlier this week, with significant disruptions at multiple airports. On December 5, 2025, over 750 flights were cancelled across the country, exacerbating the already severe backlog of stranded passengers. Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI), which serves as the airline’s busiest hub, saw all 235 scheduled departures cancelled, including 135 domestic departures and 90 arrivals. This left passengers stranded at one of the largest airports in the world, with no clear indication of when services would return to normal. Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad also witnessed widespread cancellations, with operations severely hampered at each location.

• Delhi Airport: The worst-hit airport, with all 235 IndiGo flights cancelled until midnight.
• Mumbai Airport: 104 flights were cancelled, including 53 departures and 51 arrivals.
• Bengaluru Airport: Over 102 flights were cancelled, disrupting travel across multiple routes.
• Hyderabad Airport: 92 flights were cancelled, leaving thousands of passengers without clear answers about their flights.
• Chennai: Domestic flights were cancelled throughout the day, adding to the mounting chaos.

The Ripple Effects: Passengers Share Frustrations

Across social media, passengers shared their frustrations with the lack of communication and support from IndiGo. Many travelers expressed anger over the lack of adequate assistance, such as food, water, and hotel accommodations.

Many passengers reported waiting for hours in overcrowded terminals, only to find that their flights had been either delayed or cancelled without prior notice. At some airports, including Delhi, IndiGo has struggled to manage the crowd, leading to a stressful environment for travelers.

The Root Causes of the Crisis

The operational disruptions have been largely attributed to a shortage of available crew members, which has been exacerbated by the introduction of new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) rules. These regulations, implemented by India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), require pilots to have more extended rest periods and impose limits on the number of landings during night hours to prevent fatigue. However, IndiGo had not adequately accounted for the need for more crew, and this miscalculation has led to a shortage of staff to operate flights.

The airline admitted to “misjudgment and planning gaps,” which led to a large-scale operational failure. As a result, flights have been delayed or cancelled, creating an enormous backlog of passengers. In addition to the crew shortages, the new FDTL rules limit the hours pilots can work, including a cap on night landings and restrictions on the total number of flight hours. These changes, while intended to improve safety, have clashed with IndiGo’s high-utilization winter flight schedule, further complicating the airline’s operations.

IndiGo’s Response and Apologies

IndiGo has acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and issued multiple apologies to passengers affected by the cancellations. The airline stated that it deeply understands the difficulty the past few days have caused for many passengers. The airline further assured that it is working around the clock to stabilize operations and ease customer discomfort.

However, the airline has made it clear that it expects disruptions to continue for several more days. IndiGo further stated that it plans to reduce its flight schedule starting December 8, 2025, to manage the situation better. Full operational stability is not expected until February 10, 2026.

DGCA’s Intervention and Support

In response to the ongoing crisis, the DGCA has stepped in to assist IndiGo in managing its operations. The aviation watchdog has granted temporary exemptions from certain FDTL regulations to help alleviate the pressure. The DGCA has authorized its own inspectors, typically hired as contract pilots, to operate IndiGo flights during this period of staff shortage.

Additionally, the DGCA has relaxed certain clauses related to pilot rest, including the cap on night landings, to allow for greater flexibility. While these measures are intended to help the airline recover, they have raised questions about safety and the long-term sustainability of such temporary exemptions.

Looking Ahead: When Will Normalcy Return?

IndiGo has communicated that its operations will begin to stabilize within the next 48 hours. However, the airline has warned that the backlog will take time to clear, and more cancellations are expected in the coming days. Passengers are advised to check the status of their flights before heading to the airport.

IndiGo’s long-term recovery plan includes flight reductions, which will begin on December 8, 2025. These reductions are expected to continue until early February 2026, at which point the airline aims to fully restore its services. As a part of its efforts to mitigate the effects of the crisis, IndiGo is offering refunds, rebooking options, and meal and hotel accommodations for passengers stranded due to cancellations.

The Toll on IndiGo’s Reputation and Future Plans

This crisis marks one of the most significant operational challenges in IndiGo’s history. Known for its reliability and punctuality, the airline has seen a sharp drop in its on-time performance, with figures showing a meager 19.7% on-time rate on December 3, 2025. This is a stark contrast to the airline’s usual industry-leading performance.

As the situation drags on, IndiGo will face increasing pressure to restore its reputation and ensure passenger satisfaction. While the airline has taken responsibility for the crisis, the continuing operational disruptions will likely affect its customer base, especially among frequent flyers who rely on the airline for punctual and efficient service.

IndiGo’s management has also promised to reevaluate its planning and crew management processes to avoid similar disruptions in the future. They have acknowledged the need to better align their operational capacity with regulatory requirements to prevent further crises.

As IndiGo works through the ongoing crisis, it is crucial for passengers to stay informed and be prepared for potential delays or cancellations. Travelers are advised to regularly check flight statuses before heading to airports, and to keep in mind the airline’s reduced flight schedule starting December 8.

Thousands of passengers are stranded across major airports in India as IndiGo cancels over 1,000 flights due to crew shortages and operational disruptions. This unprecedented crisis has severely impacted airports including Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad.

While IndiGo has made efforts to mitigate the impact on affected passengers, this situation has raised questions about the airline’s preparedness for sudden regulatory changes and its ability to manage large-scale disruptions. The coming weeks will be critical for the airline as it works to rebuild trust and restore normal operations. Passengers can only hope that IndiGo’s planned flight reductions and operational improvements will soon bring an end to the ongoing turmoil.