The nationwide flight disruption caused by IndiGo Airlines has continued for the third straight day. As operational and staffing issues persist, thousands of passengers are being left stranded at major airports across India. Although the situation was expected to improve, no major progress has been seen, and the crisis has only deepened further.
More Than 400 Flights Cancelled on Friday
In a major blow to passengers, over 400 IndiGo flights were cancelled on Friday alone. A large share of these cancellations took place at the Delhi Airport, where more than 220 flights were grounded.
Furthermore, over 100 flights were cancelled in Bengaluru, while more than 90 flights were cancelled in Hyderabad. Similar disruptions have been observed across several other major airports in the country.
As a result, passengers have been forced to wait for long hours inside terminals, often without clear information on when services would resume.
Passengers Face Food, Water Shortage and Long Delays
Across several airports, passengers have expressed growing frustration. Many claimed that IndiGo counters were found closed, and staff assistance was unavailable.
Additionally, several travellers complained that no food or water was provided during the extended delays. Others said their baggage retrieval took more than 12 hours, which added to the chaos.
Since the airport lounges were already overcrowded, many people were seen sleeping on the floor due to the lack of proper seating arrangements. Consequently, scenes of confusion and distress were reported from many terminals.
Why Is the IndiGo Crisis Getting Worse?
According to aviation sources, the disruption is linked to operational issues, staff shortages, and scheduling errors.
Although the airline was expected to stabilize operations quickly, the problem has continued to escalate. Moreover, uncertainty remains over how long the inconvenience will last.
IndiGo Shares Fall Sharply on Stock Market
The crisis has also affected IndiGo’s performance in the stock market.
In the last five trading sessions, the airline’s shares have fallen by over 9%.
On Friday, at around 10:20 AM, IndiGo’s stock price dropped by 2.16%, trading at ₹5,319. Therefore, the ongoing operational crisis is now impacting investors as well.
IndiGo Approaches DGCA Seeking Temporary Relaxation
In response to the worsening situation, IndiGo has sought relief from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
The airline has requested an exemption for its Airbus A320 fleet from the existing Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms.
Moreover, IndiGo has asked for this relaxation to remain in effect until February 10 next year, according to an official DGCA statement.
However, the DGCA has not yet announced a final decision on the request. Until then, the uncertainty around flight schedules is expected to continue.
Full Recovery Expected Only After February 10
Meanwhile, IndiGo has clarified its position on the ongoing disruptions. Officials admit that the airline will not be able to restore full services until February 10 next year. From the 8th of this month, the number of flights will be reduced. The airline has apologized to passengers for the trouble faced.
