IndiGo Flight Cancellation Crisis Deepens: Over 220 Flights Cancelled; DGCA Issues Strict Show-Cause Notice

New Delhi / Mumbai / Hyderabad:
India’s largest airline, IndiGo, continues to reel under massive operational disruption for the sixth consecutive day, triggering one of the worst aviation crises the country has seen in recent years. The airline cancelled over 220 flights on Sunday alone at Delhi and Mumbai airports, according to officials quoted by PTI, while 115 arrivals and departures were cancelled in Hyderabad. The ripple effect has left thousands of passengers stranded across the country, sparking chaos at major airports and drawing sharp action from the aviation regulator DGCA.

Operations in Disarray for Sixth Straight Day

IndiGo’s troubles began earlier this week after internal staffing shortages and major crew unavailability snowballed into a nationwide shutdown of flight operations. Despite assurances of recovery, the situation remained grim on Sunday, marking the sixth straight day of cancellations and delays.

Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Guwahati witnessed long queues, crowded terminals, and passengers scrambling for updates. Many posted videos and photos showing frustrated travellers waiting for hours, often receiving updates minutes before the scheduled pushback.

The airline said that the number of cancellations had dropped below 850 flights on Saturday, compared to more than 1,000 cancellations on Friday, but Sunday’s numbers again highlighted that a stable recovery was still out of reach.

Passengers Left Stranded Nationwide

Across major airports, passengers expressed anger over poor communication and last-minute alerts. Many complained that IndiGo’s app showed flights “on time” even minutes before cancellations, while customer support lines remained jammed.

Several travellers at Delhi and Mumbai said they were stuck for hours without clarity, with some missing medical appointments, job interviews, and important events. A few international connecting passengers also missed onward journeys due to the disruption.

The chaos was particularly intense in Delhi’s Terminal 2 and Mumbai’s T1, where IndiGo handles a large chunk of its domestic operations. Airport authorities deployed extra staff to manage the growing queues but struggled to control the volume of distressed passengers.

DGCA Cracks Down: Show-Cause Notice to IndiGo CEO

As the crisis escalated, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a strict show-cause notice to IndiGo’s Chief Executive Officer, Pieter Elbers.
The notice highlights:

• “Significant lapses in planning and oversight”

• Poor resource management leading to large-scale disruption

• Failure to maintain adequate crew availability

• Major inconvenience caused to passengers nationwide

Sources say the DGCA has demanded a full explanation within a limited timeframe, and the regulator is also examining whether IndiGo violated its obligations under passenger rights guidelines.

Under DGCA norms, airlines must provide compensation, alternate flights, hotel stays, or refunds depending on the nature and timing of cancellations. Authorities are reviewing whether IndiGo provided these services appropriately.

Aviation Minister Holds “Serious Meeting”

Amid severe backlash, Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu held an urgent high-level meeting with IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers and top civil aviation officials. The minister reportedly called the situation “unacceptable” and asked for immediate corrective action.

Government sources said the meeting focused on:

• Ensuring stable crew rosters

• Strengthening flight scheduling

• Restoring normal operations urgently

• Improving communication with passengers

• Ensuring compliance with compensation guidelines
  
  The minister has also sought daily progress reports until IndiGo’s operations fully stabilise.

What Led to the Crisis?

Though IndiGo has not given an official detailed explanation, multiple sources indicate that:

• A sudden spike in crew unavailability

• Widespread reports of sick leave among cabin crew

• Fatigue management issues

• Internal scheduling challenges

…collectively triggered the collapse.

The exact internal reasons remain unclear, but aviation analysts say IndiGo’s network size — operating 1,900+ daily flights — means even small disruptions can snowball into massive operational chaos.

The Economic & Operational Impact

Industry experts estimate that IndiGo may have lost crores in revenue over the past week due to mass cancellations. Additionally, rebooking passengers, refunds, hotel arrangements, and airport handling costs are expected to significantly strain expenses.

Passengers also face financial impact:

• Missed business appointments

• Non-refundable hotel bookings

• Lost connecting flights

• Extended delays of 6–12 hours in many cities

Airports too faced heavy congestion, requiring additional manpower to manage crowds and maintain security.

IndiGo’s Response So Far

IndiGo stated that it is working “round the clock” to stabilise operations and re-deploy staff as required. The airline has:

• Re-aligned crew schedules

• Cancelled flights in advance to avoid last-minute chaos

• Deployed senior staff on airport floors

• Promised faster communication to passengers

However, with hundreds of cancellations continuing daily, a full recovery may take more time.

What Passengers Should Do

Authorities and airlines have urged passengers to:

• Check flight status before leaving for the airport

• Reach at least 2.5–3 hours early

• Opt for rebooking or refunds if possible

• Monitor SMS, email, and app notifications regularly

DGCA has also reminded customers that they are entitled to compensation depending on the situation, and passengers have the right to file grievances on the AirSewa portal.

Looking Ahead

With the DGCA stepping in and the government closely monitoring the situation, pressure on IndiGo to restore normal operations is at an all-time high. The crisis has not only impacted lakhs of passengers but also raised questions about airline staffing stability and operational planning in India’s rapidly growing aviation sector.

IndiGo is expected to submit its reply to the regulator soon, while passengers hope for smooth travel in the coming days. For now, operations are slowly improving, but a complete recovery is still unfolding.