IndiGo Cancels 71 Flights in Chennai, 77 Disrupted in Hyderabad Amid Ongoing Operational Crisis

IndiGo, India’s largest airline, continued to face massive operational disruptions on Monday, with 71 flights cancelled at Chennai airport—including 38 departures and 33 arrivals—and 77 flights disrupted in Hyderabad, airport officials told ANI. The airline has been grappling with widespread cancellations and rescheduling since last Tuesday, affecting thousands of passengers nationwide.

The airline has said it expects operations to stabilise by December 10.

Key Highlights of IndiGo Flight Disruptions

• Flight Cancellations and Disruptions: On Monday, 71 flights were cancelled in Chennai and 77 disrupted in Hyderabad. On Sunday alone, around 650 flights were cancelled, with several others rescheduled. Since last Tuesday, the airline has cancelled over 2,000 flights.

• Passenger Advisory: Delhi airport warned travelers that IndiGo may continue to experience delays and advised checking flight status before traveling.

• Cause of Disruptions: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) attributed the chaos to IndiGo’s lack of preparation for the new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) rules for pilots, effective from November 1, 2025.

• Regulatory Action: The DGCA issued show-cause notices to CEO Pieter Elbers and the airline’s accountable manager, requiring a response within 24 hours. After IndiGo requested more time, the regulator granted a 24-hour extension.

• Recovery Plan: In a video message to staff, CEO Pieter Elbers said, “Step by step, we are getting back,” and projected the airline’s on-time performance to reach 75%.

• Compensation Measures: IndiGo has issued ₹610 crore in refunds and returned 3,000 pieces of baggage to affected passengers, the government reported.

• Government Measures: The civil aviation ministry has capped airfares and urged the airline to expedite refunds, noting that nationwide air travel operations are improving rapidly.

The airline’s ongoing crisis highlights the impact of regulatory changes on India’s busiest carrier, with passengers advised to stay updated on flight schedules until operations stabilise.