India’s largest airline, IndiGo, has run into a massive operational breakdown, cancelling more than 550 flights in a single day—its highest number ever. The disruption left passengers stranded across major airports, surrounded by piles of unclaimed baggage and forced into long, uncertain waits. At Delhi’s Terminal 1, luggage was stacked in chaotic heaps while exhausted travellers spent the night on the floor, with no staff available for assistance. Similar scenes unfolded in Mumbai, where 118 flights were cancelled, as well as in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, and Goa. Many passengers went without food or water for hours, some waiting nearly half a day for updates. Frustration spread quickly online as people reported missing bags and deserted airline counters.

The crisis grew out of several intertwined issues. IndiGo was hit by a shortage of crew members after the stricter Phase 2 Flight Duty Time Limitation rules took effect—regulations the airline appears to have miscalculated. The situation was further worsened by technical failures, winter fog, air-traffic delays, and airport restrictions. This meltdown continued for the fourth consecutive day, following more than 1,200 cancellations in November, which accounted for the majority of flight disruptions among all Indian carriers. CEO Pieter Elbers described the situation as a “cascading impact” caused by planning gaps and urged employees to accelerate recovery efforts.

The airline issued an apology, announcing additional flight reductions until December 7 to stabilise operations. From December 8 onward, IndiGo plans to scale back its schedule more significantly, with hopes of restoring full operations by February 10, 2026. Meanwhile, the airline has requested DGCA approval for temporary adjustments to FDTL rules for its A320 fleet. The aviation regulator has launched inspections and ordered the airline to improve passenger support, increase staffing, and correct planning flaws. Similar crew shortages have troubled global airlines like Ryanair, but IndiGo’s dominant presence in India has made the impact far more disruptive for the country’s rapidly growing aviation sector.

For travellers stuck in these delays, the most immediate steps include checking the airline’s app or the DGCA website for updated flight information and requesting refunds or rebookings, which must be processed within seven days under existing rules. Carrying essential supplies can help ease the wait, and in the long run, choosing different airlines for critical travel may help avoid dependence on a single carrier, particularly during the busy winter season.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from NDTV.