India’s largest airline, IndiGo, is facing a severe operational crisis, triggering large-scale flight cancellations and delays across the country and leaving thousands of passengers stranded for hours. The disruption—blamed on a combination of crew shortages and technical issues—has hit several major airports, including Thiruvananthapuram, Delhi, Pune, Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
According to officials at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, four IndiGo flights—two arrivals and two departures—were cancelled on Friday, while three incoming and three outgoing services were delayed. Similar scenes unfolded at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, where passengers crowded help desks demanding assistance, refunds, and alternative travel options.
The situation escalated further in Maharashtra. Between midnight and 8 a.m. alone, 16 arrivals and 16 departures were cancelled at airports in Mumbai and Pune. Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport also reported widespread disruption, with stranded travellers complaining of long waits and a lack of basic support.
One frustrated passenger at Ahmedabad airport described the ordeal: “After multiple delays, we finally cancelled our flight. But we didn’t get our luggage back for hours. We’ve been stuck here for nearly 12 hours with no water or food. Other airlines have doubled their fares—taking another flight is nearly impossible.”
With last-minute cancellations, many passengers reported being forced to pay ₹20,000 to ₹30,000 for alternative flights. Airfares on other carriers surged sharply, worsening the crisis.
