India’s largest airline, IndiGo, faced one of the biggest operational crises in recent memory in early December 2025. Mass cancellations and delays disrupted travel nationwide, stranding passengers and drawing intense scrutiny from regulators.
The crisis unfolded against India’s busiest travel season, affecting both business and festive travel plans. Airports from Delhi to Bengaluru, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Chennai reported widespread flight suspensions and confusion.
Unprecedented Cancellations and Delays
In the first week of December, IndiGo cancelled thousands of flights as operations faltered.
At least 2,000 flights were cancelled over several days, with tens of thousands of passengers impacted. Reuters
Daily schedules were cut as the airline struggled to maintain crew rosters and handle demand.
At one point, over 500 flights were cancelled in a single day, with delays numbering in the hundreds. On major days of disruption, cancellations hit up to 1,000 flights, causing long queues and chaos at terminals. The Times of India
Even as operations stabilised later, airports continued to report hundreds of cancellations and delays, for example around 160 flights cancelled from Delhi and Bengaluru on a single day in mid-December. The Economic Times
Why the Disruption Happened
IndiGo and aviation regulators attributed the crisis to a combination of factors:
- Updated pilot rest and duty regulations
- Crew roster planning failures
- Minor technical issues
- Winter schedule changes and airspace congestion
The airline told the regulator that these issues compounded and made it difficult to maintain scheduled operations. IndiGo expects to fully restore normal operations by February 10, 2026.
Meanwhile, the aviation watchdog DGCA ordered a cut of 5% in scheduled flights to reduce pressure on operations. Reuters
Regulator Response and Oversight
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) took several actions in response.
It summoned airline leadership for detailed explanations and launched a high-level inquiry.
In a notable move, four senior flight operations inspectors were removed from their oversight roles amid ongoing disruption, signalling deep regulatory concern.
Authorities also directed IndiGo to submit revised flight schedules and face possible regulatory action if issues persisted.
Passenger Impact and Compensation
Thousands of passengers were stranded, missing connections and enduring long waits. Fares soared on alternative carriers as demand spiked overnight.
IndiGo estimated that compensation to affected customers will exceed Rs 500 crore due to cancellations within 24 hours of departure. Reuters
The airline also promised refunds and support for severely impacted travellers, though implementation and timelines remain ongoing.
What This Means for Indian Aviation
This crisis exposed vulnerabilities in one of India’s most dominant carriers, raising questions about operational planning and safety compliance. It accelerated regulatory oversight and may lead to long-term reforms in airline crew management and scheduling rules.
For travellers and industry watchers alike, the IndiGo crisis remains a cautionary example of how regulatory change, crew planning and airline policy must align to protect passengers and maintain trust.