New Delhi: India’s largest airline, IndiGo, cancelled 650 flights on Sunday as its nationwide operational crisis stretched into the sixth consecutive day. The carrier said it will operate 1,650 out of its scheduled 2,300 flights on December 7 and expects full stability to return by December 10.
Major airports, including Indira Gandhi International Airport and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, saw heavy disruptions with more than 220 cancellations on Sunday alone. According to sources, at least 112 flights were cancelled in Mumbai and 109 in Delhi, adding to the mounting travel chaos for thousands of passengers.
On Friday, the airline had grounded nearly 1,600 flights—almost 70% of its daily schedule—before reducing cancellations to around 800 on Saturday. IndiGo said the temporary network shrink was necessary to “reboot systems, rosters, and operations,” adding that early signs of improvement were already visible as it operated 1,500 flights on Saturday.
Top IndiGo executives, including CEO Pieter Elbers and COO and Accountable Manager Porqueras, have received notices from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, which sought explanations within 24 hours over widespread operational lapses. The regulator noted that the disruptions reflected serious deficiencies in planning, oversight and resource management, particularly relating to the implementation of the revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) rules.
Government officials told that action will be taken based on the inquiry committee’s findings. Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu held a detailed review meeting with the IndiGo leadership on Saturday, attended by senior officials including Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha and DGCA chief Faiz Ahmed Kidwai. The minister directed the airline to restore normal operations urgently and ensure prompt refunds to affected passengers.
While uncertainty remains over potential punitive measures, officials emphasised that restoring operational normalcy and passenger relief is the immediate priority.
