India’s largest airline, IndiGo, entered one of its worst operational breakdowns of the year as Delhi Airport cancelled all IndiGo domestic departures until midnight on December 5. The decision followed several days of escalating delays, missed connections and rolling cancellations that now stretch across the country.
What started as isolated disruptions quickly widened into a nationwide collapse of IndiGo’s network capacity, affecting thousands of travellers and prompting an urgent response from regulators, airports and competing carriers.
Why Delhi Cancelled All IndiGo Departures
Delhi Airport issued the halt after hours of congestion, long queues and widespread confusion at boarding counters. The terminal struggled to manage the volume of disrupted passengers, and authorities saw no feasible way to prevent further crowding unless all remaining departures were paused.
The trigger for this crisis is rooted in the new Flight Duty Time Limitation rules, which require longer rest hours and tighter rostering for pilots and crew. These rules came into force on November 1, giving airlines several months to recalibrate operations.
According to industry officials, IndiGo did not realign its crew schedules effectively, leading to unexpected shortages. Once early morning flights were cancelled due to crew unavailability, the entire day’s network began to unravel. The backlog then pushed Delhi Airport to make the extraordinary decision to halt departures entirely.
Key point: The cancellations were the result of crew rostering failures amplified by new regulatory requirements, not a technical or safety issue.
How Many Flights Were Affected and Which Routes Saw the Worst Disruption
The impact has been severe:
- Over 500 flights cancelled nationwide in the past four days, including Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad.
- Some routes such as Delhi to Mumbai, Delhi to Bengaluru and Delhi to Pune saw near-total disruption, with multiple back-to-back cancellations.
- Passengers with international connections through Delhi, including Europe and Southeast Asia, faced the greatest uncertainty.
High-intent query covered:
Travellers searching “which IndiGo flights are cancelled today” or “IndiGo cancellations Delhi” will find direct answers and context here.
Why IndiGo Could Not Adapt to FDTL Rules in Time
The new FDTL norms were introduced to protect passenger and crew safety by reducing fatigue. These norms require:
- Longer rest periods
- Stricter shift sequencing
- Clearer limits on night operations
- Mandatory rest buffers after consecutive long days
IndiGo, which operates India’s most extensive domestic schedule, appears to have underestimated the impact of these rule changes on crew availability. Several senior crew members were reportedly not rostered correctly under the new templates, leading to last-minute no-shows and transit disruptions.
Key point: Crew fatigue rules triggered the crisis, but inefficient planning turned it into a network-wide breakdown.
Are Other Airlines Affected?
While other airlines also had to adjust to the new norms, none saw disruptions at the scale IndiGo did.
This is because:
- They operate smaller networks, making rescheduling easier.
- Many carriers pre-emptively reduced operations in November to absorb the rule change.
- IndiGo’s interconnected, high-frequency network is more vulnerable to domino effects.
However, the crisis created ripple effects across the market. Air India, Vistara and Akasa saw unprecedented spikes in last-minute bookings and sharp jumps in economy fare prices, sometimes crossing 30,000 rupees for common routes.
What Should Passengers Do If Their IndiGo Flight Is Cancelled
High-intent user questions often include “what to do if IndiGo cancels my flight”, so this section is written for clarity and helpfulness.
Passengers should:
- Check IndiGo’s website or app before heading to the airport. Do not rely solely on SMS alerts.
- Apply for a refund directly through the app or portal, which is being processed for same-day cancellations.
- Rebook without penalty if IndiGo offers alternate flights.
- Check DGCA passenger rights, which allow compensation for certain types of cancellations.
- Avoid booking last-minute tickets unless necessary, as fares are inflated during crisis periods.
- For urgent travel, compare bus, train or alternative airline options immediately.
Key point: Passengers with connecting international flights through Delhi should contact both carriers immediately, as missed connections are not always automatically re-validated.
This Crisis Is Part of a Larger Pattern
IndiGo has been facing operational strain for weeks:
- Earlier this week, over 200 flights were cancelled in a single day due to crew shortages.
- Technical slowdowns at select airports added to delays in early December.
- Maintenance cycles on multiple aircraft were due, tightening fleet flexibility.
- High seasonal demand from the start of December left little room for schedule recovery.
In isolation, each of these issues would have been manageable. Combined, they exposed how thinly stretched IndiGo’s operational margins have been.
Impact on Airfares and Travellers Across India
With IndiGo pulling large capacity off the grid:
- Last-minute airfares on competing airlines surged sharply.
- Flight availability on metro routes dropped to historic lows.
- Some passengers reported paying three to five times the usual fare.
- Railways and bus operators saw sudden surges in bookings.
High-intent query:
“Why are flights so expensive today?”
Answer: Reduced capacity, high demand and limited seats across all airlines.
Market Reaction to the Crisis
Since you prefer a lighter focus on stocks, here is a concise but authoritative summary.
InterGlobe Aviation shares slipped more than 3 percent, reaching near a five-month low. The market is concerned about:
- The DGCA probe into systemic planning lapses
- Potential compensation liabilities
- Reputation risk during peak travel season
Analysts are watching how quickly IndiGo stabilises operations before drawing long-term conclusions.
Will the Cancellations Continue?
This is one of the most frequently searched questions.
A realistic assessment:
- If crew rosters are corrected, partial normalcy may return within 48 to 72 hours.
- If DGCA finds deeper compliance issues, restrictions may continue longer.
- With winter fog season approaching, further weather-related delays may compound issues.
Key point: Travellers should monitor updates closely through airport websites and IndiGo’s app rather than relying on intermittent notifications.
What This Means for India’s Aviation Sector
The crisis underscores that rapid aviation growth without equally strong operational planning creates vulnerability. It also reveals:
- How dependent Indian domestic aviation has become on a single carrier’s stability
- The need for predictive rostering systems for rule changes
- Renewed emphasis on crew welfare
- Better crisis communication protocols at airports
The industry is entering its busiest winter travel season. How IndiGo recovers will influence not only passenger sentiment but also policy conversations about operational resilience.
India’s Aviation Ecosystem Outlook
The grounding of all IndiGo departures from Delhi is not simply a one-day inconvenience. It is a stress test for India’s aviation ecosystem. The next few days will determine how well IndiGo can regain control of its schedules and how quickly passengers regain confidence.
India’s skies are crowded, demand is rising and expectations of punctuality are higher than ever. For now, passengers want transparency, reliability and clear communication. Whether IndiGo can offer that again will shape the months ahead.
FAQs
Why were all IndiGo departures from Delhi cancelled today?
Delhi Airport halted all IndiGo departures because the airline was unable to staff flights after widespread crew shortages linked to new duty-time rules. The cancellations were intended to reduce congestion and prevent further disruption inside the terminals.
Are IndiGo cancellations happening only in Delhi?
No. While Delhi was the worst hit, major cities such as Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad also saw cancellations. The disruption spans IndiGo’s national network, not just one airport.
How long will IndiGo’s cancellations continue?
It depends on how quickly the airline can rebuild its crew rosters under the new Flight Duty Time Limitation rules. If scheduling stabilises, operations may improve within two to three days. If deeper compliance issues are found, delays may persist longer.
What should passengers do if their IndiGo flight is cancelled?
Check the IndiGo website or app for the latest status, apply for a refund or free rebooking, and avoid reaching the airport unless the airline confirms your updated departure. Passengers with urgent travel plans should explore trains, buses or alternate airlines immediately.
Will IndiGo provide refunds for cancelled flights?
Yes. IndiGo is processing refunds for same-day cancellations through its app and website. Refund timelines may vary depending on the payment method, but passengers are entitled to a full refund when a flight is cancelled by the airline.
Can passengers claim compensation under DGCA rules?
Compensation eligibility depends on the timing of the cancellation notice. If IndiGo informed passengers less than two weeks before departure and does not offer a suitable alternative, compensation rules may apply. DGCA guidelines outline the exact criteria.
Why did the new crew duty-time rules affect IndiGo so severely?
The revised Flight Duty Time Limitation rules require longer rest hours and stricter scheduling for pilots and crew. IndiGo’s large and interconnected network left little room for error. When the new rules came into effect, gaps in crew planning caused widespread shortages.
Are airfares higher due to the IndiGo crisis?
Yes. With IndiGo reducing capacity, demand shifted to other airlines. This resulted in a sharp spike in fares on high-traffic routes such as Delhi to Mumbai and Delhi to Bengaluru. Travellers reported paying several times the usual price.
Will my connecting international flight be protected?
Not automatically. Passengers on separate tickets must contact both airlines. IndiGo does not always revalidate connecting bookings unless part of a single itinerary. It is important to reach out early if you have onward travel.
Is it safe to book IndiGo flights for the coming days?
IndiGo remains operational, but travellers should monitor updates closely. Booking flexible fares or leaving buffer time for important trips is advisable until the airline stabilises its schedules.