IndiGo Operations Collapse: Over 550 Flights Cancelled as Airports Across India Plunge Into Chaos

Delhi: Several major airports across the country witnessed severe disruptions on Friday as IndiGo’s ongoing operational crisis escalated into one of the worst airline breakdowns in recent years. Massive cancellations, prolonged delays, and heated confrontations between passengers and airline staff created widespread chaos throughout the day.

A viral video from Goa airport captured angry passengers shouting at IndiGo employees while security personnel attempted to defuse tensions. The airline, India’s largest carrier, cancelled more than 550 flights—the highest single-day disruption in its 20-year history—as crew shortages, scheduling failures and technical issues crippled operations for the fourth consecutive day.

According to PTI, the cancellations included 118 flights in Mumbai, 100 in Bengaluru, 75 in Hyderabad, 35 in Kolkata, 26 in Chennai, and 11 in Goa, with further disruptions reported in Bhopal and several other cities.

Goa Becomes a Flashpoint

Goa witnessed 14 flight cancellations and more than 25 flights delayed by over three hours, leaving weekend travellers and tourists stranded. Sparse communication and repeated rescheduling aggravated the frustration, with hundreds of passengers left without clear updates.

Among the high-profile groups affected was Mumbai City FC, who remained stuck at the airport for nearly 10 hours before finally reaching Goa on Thursday morning for their Super Cup semifinal. Their flight, initially scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, was postponed multiple times until after midnight.

Passengers expressed outrage over the airline’s handling of the situation. Naveen, a Guwahati–Pune traveller whose flight was diverted to Goa, said, “No accountability and no support. No proper meals for nearly 13 hours after we reached the airport.”

Karnataka Passengers Stranded in Chandigarh

The disruptions rippled across northern India as well. Around 20 passengers from Karnataka were stranded at Chandigarh airport after IndiGo announced there were no flights available to Bengaluru.

Travellers from areas including Chintamani in Chikkaballapur district said they waited for hours without proper meals. Many were travelling for work commitments, tourism, or medical emergencies.

Frustration grew as IndiGo offered only refunds instead of rescheduling options. With last-minute flight tickets to Bengaluru priced at over ₹30,000, several passengers said they simply could not afford alternative travel.
“We can’t afford these fares. It’s too expensive. IndiGo hasn’t given us any option to reschedule,” one passenger complained.

Nationwide System Failure

IndiGo operates nearly 2,300 flights daily, but its on-time performance plummeted to 19.7%, down from 35% just two days earlier. The airline has warned that more cancellations are likely over the next 2–3 days as it attempts to restore stability.

The crisis stems from a combination of crew availability issues, flawed planning and technology malfunctions. The airline admitted it had miscalculated staffing requirements following recent changes to night-duty regulations. These regulations have now been temporarily rolled back to reduce pressure on crew scheduling.

Aviation Authorities Step In

Senior IndiGo officials were summoned by both the Civil Aviation Ministry and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The regulators demanded detailed explanations and immediate remedial action.

The DGCA is closely monitoring the situation as thousands of passengers remain stranded across the country. With public frustration mounting, aviation authorities have stressed the need for swift corrective measures and greater accountability from the airline.

IndiGo’s system-wide meltdown marks one of the largest operational failures in recent Indian aviation history, leaving passengers, regulators, and stakeholders demanding urgent resolution.