For thousands of travellers across India, the past three days have felt like a never-ending airport lounge nightmare. What began as a ripple of delays earlier this week has ballooned into one of the biggest aviation meltdowns the country has seen in years. IndiGo, India’s largest carrier, has been forced to cancel an unprecedented number of flights, leaving terminals packed, tempers rising, and travel plans collapsing in real time.
By Friday afternoon, more than 750 IndiGo flights had been cancelled—on top of over 550 scrapped yesterday. Delhi bore the brunt with all 235 IndiGo departures grounded for the day, effectively halting the airline’s operations in the national capital. Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad followed with hundreds of cancellations between them, while Chennai suspended all IndiGo outbound flights until early evening.
And the disruption has spilled far beyond metros. Pune struggled with a parking-bay logjam. Srinagar and Jammu abruptly wiped 17 flights off the board. Kolkata clocked 320 delays and nearly 100 cancellations in just three days. Airports that normally run on muscle memory and predictable rhythm are now scenes of confusion—passengers queuing for hours, chasing rebookings, and scanning display boards flashing red with cancellations.
Behind the scenes, a crew availability crunch has collided with India’s new Flight Duty Time Limitation rules. The updated norms mandate longer rest windows and stricter night-duty limits for pilots—measures designed for safety but demanding higher manpower. IndiGo, already stretched thin, underestimated how sharply its crew requirements would spike under the second phase of these rules. Add the winter schedule’s expanded flight count and congestion at busy airports, and the result is a system pushed beyond its limits.
Operational performance has nosedived; at major airports, IndiGo’s on-time percentage slipped to just 8.5 per cent, a colossal fall for an airline known for its clockwork reputation. The DGCA has stepped in, asking for a detailed recovery roadmap and progress updates every fortnight. IndiGo estimates stability may return only by February 2026, signalling that the turbulence isn’t ending overnight.
Across cities, stories are pouring in—families stranded for 10–12 hours, business travellers missing connections, and terminals running short on simple essentials. With IndiGo operating over 2,300 flights a day in normal conditions, the spillover has pushed up fares on other carriers and tightened seat availability across major routes.
Amid this widespread disruption, travellers are left wondering what to do next. Here’s a breakdown to help you navigate cancellations, claim refunds, rebook efficiently, and stay prepared when your journey is unexpectedly thrown off course.
Claiming a Refund
If your flight is cancelled, you’re entitled to either an alternate flight within two hours of your original departure or a full refund. When cancellations happen within 15 days of travel and up to 24 hours before take-off, passengers are also eligible for compensation ranging from INR 5,000 to INR 10,000 depending on sector length.
Know Your Rights During Delays
For delays under 24 hours, airlines must provide meals and refreshments at the airport. If the delay stretches beyond a day, they must offer hotel accommodation and ground transfers.
However, airlines are not required to compensate passengers when delays are caused by extraordinary circumstances (think severe weather, airspace restrictions, or natural events).
What to Do Immediately
Act fast. Save every piece of documentation—boarding passes, messages from the airline, screenshots of delays or cancellations, and any communication with staff. These will be essential if you need to file a claim later.
How to Rebook Quickly
The fastest way to rebook is through the airline’s app or website the moment a cancellation is announced. Seats on alternate flights disappear quickly, so move fast. If digital channels are slow, try the airline’s customer care numbers, including international call centres, which often have shorter wait times. For bookings made via third-party platforms, reach out to them too; they may have additional rebooking options or internal waivers. And if the airline is struggling system-wide, sometimes the smartest move is to take the refund and book a fresh ticket with another carrier.
Filing for Compensation
If the airline doesn’t provide the assistance or compensation required under DGCA guidelines, you can file a formal complaint with the airline and the regulator. Include all documents, timelines, and details of the disruption. If the issue remains unresolved, consider escalating through consumer rights organisations or legal channels.
If You’re Denied Boarding
When you’re involuntarily denied boarding despite showing up on time with proper documents, you are entitled to compensation, alternative flights, meals, and—if required—accommodation. If offered an alternate flight that departs within 24 hours, the compensation should be 200% of the basic fare plus fuel charge (up to INR 10,000).
If you choose not to take the alternative flight, you’re entitled to 400% of the basic fare plus fuel charge (up to INR 20,000) along with a full refund.
When Your Route Involves International Travel
Refunds remain your right, but compensation rules vary. For flights to or from Europe, travellers may be eligible for substantial payouts under EU passenger protection laws for delays over three hours. Claims can be filed independently or using passenger rights platforms.
1. Why is IndiGo cancelling so many flights?
IndiGo is facing a crew shortage worsened by India’s new Flight Duty Time Limitation rules, which require longer rest periods and stricter night-duty limits for pilots. Combined with a busier winter schedule, this has led to mass cancellations across the country.
2. How long will IndiGo flight disruptions last?
The airline estimates that operations may stabilise only by February 2026. In the meantime, cancellations and delays are likely to continue, especially at major airports like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad.
3. What should I do if my flight is cancelled?
You can either take an alternate flight within two hours of your original departure or claim a full refund. Keep all tickets and communication handy—they’ll be needed if you file a claim.
4. How can I rebook quickly?
Use the airline’s app or website immediately, or call customer care (including international lines). Third-party booking platforms may also offer alternative flights or waivers. Acting fast improves your chances of securing a seat.
5. What happens if I’m denied boarding?
If involuntarily denied boarding, you’re entitled to an alternate flight, meals, accommodation if needed, and compensation. Rebook within 24 hours for 200 per cent of the fare (up to INR 10,000) or decline and claim 400 per cent plus a full refund (up to INR 20,000).