IndiGo’s deepening pilot and crew crisis has triggered the complete suspension of all its domestic flights from Delhi Airport until midnight on December 5, 2025, with over 1,000 cancellations since early December driving Delhi-Mumbai airfares beyond Rs 80,000 on alternative carriers.
Thousands of passengers remain stranded nationwide, as DGCA steps in with monitoring and partial regulatory relief, while IndiGo promises full refunds but forecasts stabilisation only by February 2026 amid operational meltdowns.
Rival airlines like Air India and SpiceJet capitalise with tripled fares, leaving commuters, families, and businesses in limbo without clear timelines from aviation authorities.
Crisis Grips Major Airports
The chaos peaked on December 4 with over 550 IndiGo flights scrapped across India, slashing the airline’s on-time performance to a dismal 8.5% and inflating ticket prices threefold on high-demand routes like Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Bengaluru.
Delhi Airport issued stark confirmation: all IndiGo domestic departures halted until 23:59 on December 5, compounding baggage pile-ups and terminal overcrowding for hundreds of affected travellers.
Chennai followed suit, cancelling every IndiGo domestic flight, while Bengaluru reported 73 cancellations on December 4 alone, underscoring the nationwide ripple.
IndiGo acknowledged the turmoil, stating: “Unforeseen operational challenges, including technical glitches and strict crew norms under Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL), have disrupted schedules severely.”
Fares Soar Amid Panic Booking
Delhi-Mumbai one-way fares, typically Rs 5,000-8,000, now command Rs 36,000-82,000 on platforms like MakeMyTrip, with Air India non-stops at Rs 25,000 and SpiceJet options even steeper for connecting flights.
Similar spikes hit Delhi-Kolkata at Rs 38,000-61,000, turning routine business trips into financial nightmares for salaried workers and families reuniting over holidays.
Platforms buzz with desperate searches, as one harried passenger shared online: “Booked last-minute after IndiGo axed my flight paid Rs 70,000 for what was Rs 6,000 yesterday; this is exploitation.”
The surge reflects acute capacity crunch, with limited seats on rivals forcing many to trains or roads, amplifying economic losses in peak travel season.
Roots in Crew and Pilot Shortages
At the crisis core lie acute crew deficits, exacerbated by FDTL Phase 2 rules implemented hastily, rival airlines poaching talent, and IndiGo’s planning shortfalls 1,232 cancellations marred November alone. DGCA pinpointed the issue: “Misjudgment in FDTL rollout exceeded crew availability projections, hitting operations hard.”
The regulator granted partial relief on pilot rest norms to ease strain, yet disruptions roll into December 8, with IndiGo scaling back thereafter and eyeing full recovery by February 10, 2026. Bengaluru Airport echoed the strain, noting 73 axed flights on December 4 amid broader domestic turmoil.
Passenger Plight and Refund Guide
Stranded travellers flood helplines, facing delays in refunds and rebookings, though IndiGo pledged full refunds for all cancelled tickets via its app or website within 7-10 days.
A step-by-step DGCA-backed process includes self-cancellations for zero penalty up to 24 hours prior, full refunds for delays over three hours, and compensation for denied boarding. Families with children or medical needs report heightened distress, with one parent lamenting: “No flights, no alternatives our holiday is ruined, and refunds take weeks.”
Airports like Delhi and Mumbai deployed extra staff for crowd control, but simmering anger grows over perceived negligence.
Regulatory Response and Road Ahead
DGCA maintains close vigil, issuing advisories for airlines to prioritise communication and alternatives, while hinting at probes into systemic lapses.
No fines announced yet, but pressure mounts for IndiGo to bolster crew training and contingency fleets amid India’s booming aviation demand.
Operations limp on internationally, but domestic routes bear the brunt, with experts warning of prolonged fare hikes unless capacity rebounds swiftly. As cancellations enter day four, the saga tests India’s aviation resilience.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This IndiGo meltdown lays bare the fragility of putting profits before people, demanding airlines and regulators forge transparent, empathetic systems with ample backups, swift refunds, and proactive crew planning to restore faith in the skies. Kindness thrives when travel unites rather than divides through dialogue fostering harmony, robust policies, and coexistence for millions reliant on affordable flights.
