Indigo flight cancellations trigger nationwide chaos as staff shortage cripples operations
New Delhi: In an unexpected disruption, the country’s largest airline IndiGo has cancelled more than 200 flights, leaving thousands of passengers stranded at major airports across India. The sudden operational collapse has triggered widespread chaos, with Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad witnessing severe congestion and long queues of distressed travellers.
According to sources, Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru alone saw 42 domestic flights cancelled, including 22 arrivals and 20 departures. Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport recorded 67 cancellations, while Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Airport reported over 51 cancellations. In Hyderabad, operations of 19 IndiGo flights were halted.
The cancellations affected key routes such as Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Goa, Kolkata and Lucknow, severely impacting business and holiday travel.
Manpower crisis after Emirates recruitment drive:
Initial reports indicate that a large number of IndiGo cockpit and cabin crew members participated in a major Emirates recruitment drive in Delhi and Mumbai this week, leading to an acute shortage of staff.
Adding to this, multiple sources confirm that IndiGo has been struggling with long-pending manpower issues, which worsened following the implementation of new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) regulations.
New FDTL rules add pressure:
The updated FDTL norms—implemented from November 1—have extended pilots’ weekly rest from 36 to 48 hours, limited night landings to two, and imposed tighter duty-hour restrictions. Analysts say these changes have drastically reduced crew availability, contributing directly to the wave of cancellations.
Technical issues, winter schedule adjustments and bad weather have added further strain, creating a “perfect storm” for the airline.
IndiGo acknowledges crisis, apologises:
The airline admitted to “serious operational disruptions over the last two days” and issued a public apology. It said temporary schedule adjustments were being implemented to stabilise operations and warned that disruptions may continue for another 48 hours.
Passengers furious at airports:
At Bengaluru airport, angry passengers confronted airline staff, demanding clarity or refunds. Videos circulating online showed frustrated travellers shouting, “Close the airport if you cannot run flights!”, highlighting the scale of public frustration.
Several passengers said they received cancellation messages just minutes before check-in, forcing many to abandon crucial travel plans.
Not the first time:
IndiGo had cancelled 20 flights from Bengaluru on Tuesday as well, signalling deeper structural issues within the airline’s operations. As the crisis continues, aviation experts warn that if manpower issues are not addressed immediately, India’s busiest airline could face more turbulence in the days ahead.
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