IndiGo operations hit by large-scale cancellations — chaos at Delhi & Chennai

IndiGo operations hit by large-scale cancellations — chaos at Delhi & Chennai

⚠️ What’s going on

• IndiGo has cancelled all its departing flights from Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), Delhi — until further notice.
• Simultaneously, flights from Chennai International Airport (and connecting regional airports) are grounded: the airline has pulled all ATR-plane services from Chennai for the time being.
• The disruption comes amid a massive ongoing crisis for IndiGo: according to recent reports, over 550 flights have been cancelled recently nationwide, with the airline warning of continuing cancellations through the next few days. 

Why this disruption — root causes

• The immediate trigger appears to be a crew shortage worsened by recently enforced stricter crew rostering and duty-hour rules (the so-called “Flight Duty Time Limitations” or FDTL norms), which limit pilots’ weekly flying hours and night landings.
• However, IndiGo — which operates over 2,300 flights daily — says the chaos stems from “a multitude of unforeseen operational challenges,” including technical glitches, winter-schedule adjustments, increased congestion at airports/airspace, and adverse weather conditions that exacerbate delays and cancellations.
• For November alone, the airline cancelled 1,232 flights, with 755 attributed to crew shortages/rostering constraints, 92 to air-traffic control failures, and the rest to a mix of airport restrictions and other operational reasons.
• As a result, on some days only 35 % of IndiGo’s flights departed on time — a steep fall from its usual punctuality standards. 

Impact so far — disruption across the network

• At Delhi’s IGI Airport, official sources as of Thursday afternoon reported cancellation of 44 departing and 47 arriving flights (domestic + international).
• In Bengaluru, Mumbai, Hyderabad and other major airports, numerous departures and arrivals were cancelled, with Chennai also reporting mass ATR flight cancellations — affecting connectivity across regional and metropolitan networks.
• Many passengers were left stranded, some reportedly received last-minute cancellation notices just minutes before scheduled departure.
• Some travellers who managed to re-book flights had to pay significantly higher fares; others faced long delays or were forced to cancel travel plans altogether. For example, on Reddit users wrote about 9:25 pm flights being cancelled after delays and having to book costly alternatives. 

What the airline and regulator say

• The national aviation regulator, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has opened a formal probe into the disruption; the airline has been asked to explain causes and provide a mitigation plan.
• IndiGo has apologised and said it is “working around the clock” to restore a stable schedule, but has also cautioned that disruptions may continue, especially in the short term while it stabilises crew rosters and fleet operations.
• In its latest communication, the airline informed DGCA that it aims to fully restore operations by 10 February 2026, though it will reduce flight frequency starting 8 December to make adjustments easier.

What travellers should do — practical advice

• Check flight status online: Use the official IndiGo website or app (Flight Status section) to verify whether your flight is “On Time,” “Delayed,” “Cancelled,” etc. Always check even if you had confirmed tickets.
• Plan for uncertainty: If you are flying from or via Delhi or Chennai (or major hubs), assume possible cancellations or major delays — try to avoid tight connecting flights, schedules involving emergencies, or last-minute travel.
• Explore alternatives: If possible, check alternate airlines, alternate airports, or different dates. Don’t rely solely on IndiGo until stability returns.
• Keep documents and notifications handy: Save airline communications (SMS, email), boarding passes, bookings. If flights are cancelled or delayed, you might need these for refund or alternate-booking claims.

What’s next — will service return to normal?

IndiGo says full restoration is targeted for 10 February 2026, but warns that schedule reductions and cancellations may continue in the short term (next few days). 
Meanwhile, DGCA is reviewing the airline’s operations and could demand structural fixes — from crew rostering changes, new hiring or scheduling reforms. 

For travellers, the coming weeks remain uncertain — especially if you’re flying to/from Delhi, Chennai or other major hubs. Keep checking flight statuses, stay flexible, and consider alternatives.