IndiGo Airlines, India's largest carrier, is reeling from a wave of flight disruptions that have stranded thousands, leading to a public apology from its chairman and the formation of a regulatory oversight team by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).​ IndiGo Chairman Vikram Singh Mehta released a video statement expressing profound regret for the operational hiccups that began around December 3, affecting major airports like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. "This is a rare blemish on our track record," Mehta said, attributing the issues to a perfect storm of technical glitches, winter scheduling changes, adverse weather, air traffic congestion, and tightened pilot rest norms—while insisting safety remained paramount and denying any intentional disruptions.​

The meltdown saw over 100 flights canceled in one day alone, part of broader November figures exceeding 1,200, fueled by crew shortages under new duty time limits. Passengers shared harrowing tales, from missing family weddings to rerouting via long drives, amplifying calls for accountability in a sector already strained by high demand.​

The DGCA has responded decisively, stationing a four-member panel at IndiGo's Gurugram base to audit operations and recommend fixes. Authorities also mandated a 10% cut to the airline's winter schedule—roughly 220 daily flights—with slots redistributed to competitors like Akasa and SpiceJet. CEO Pieter Elbers has been summoned for a detailed briefing today.​

Flights are normalizing, with on-time rates rebounding, as the board recruits external experts for a thorough review. This episode echoes past aviation woes in India, like fog-induced delays, reminding travelers to prioritize flexible tickets and insurance amid peak season pressures. IndiGo's path forward hinges on swift reforms to restore confidence in its vast network spanning 1,900+ daily flights.