IndiGo’s operations remained in disarray for the fifth consecutive day as hundreds of its flights were grounded, leaving passengers across the country frustrated and stranded for hours. Long queues, frayed tempers and packed terminals became a common sight as cancellations continued without any clear end in sight.
Despite the unprecedented chaos experienced over the past two days, passengers complained that no senior government official or representative seemed to intervene or even address their concerns. With winter temperatures dipping sharply, many travellers were forced to remain seated on terminal floors overnight, waiting for updates that seldom arrived.
Scenes from several airports revealed the extent of the crisis. Panicked passengers spoke of confusion, lack of information and basic facilities being unavailable. For many travellers, especially those flying during the holiday and wedding season, the uncertainty proved overwhelming.
At one airport, a foreign passenger lost her composure and rushed to the counter demanding immediate assistance. IndiGo staff attempted to calm her as she explained that all her belongings were in her checked-in luggage and she had no extra clothing with her. She said she had not been provided drinking water and requested food arrangements on the spot, prompting her to climb onto the counter in protest. Staff eventually managed to pacify her, but employees continued to face heated exchanges from several distressed travellers.
Similar scenes unfolded at Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Saturday morning. Long, serpentine queues formed across the terminal, with many women breaking down in tears as repeated cancellations left them unsure of their next steps. Some were travelling with young children, making the wait even more stressful. They struggled to find basic necessities such as water and food, which only added to their anxiety.
Amid nationwide delays and cancellations, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) temporarily suspended the recently implemented Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) order. The decision, taken in view of the widespread disruptions, had a direct impact on IndiGo’s operations, compounding challenges for both passengers and staff.
As of today, IndiGo has cancelled 452 flights. The worst-hit cities include Hyderabad (69 flight cancellations), Delhi (106), Mumbai (109), Chennai (48), Ahmedabad (19), Jaipur (6), Chandigarh (10) and Visakhapatnam (20). The cancellations triggered long queues at airline counters as thousands sought refunds or rebooking. While IndiGo has refunded many passengers, the process remains slow in several locations.
Meanwhile, other airlines have sharply increased ticket prices amid the surge in last-minute demand, leaving passengers bearing an additional financial burden during an already difficult travel season.
