IndiGo Crisis: 500 Cancellations On Day 6; Airline Says Getting Better, Will Operate 1,650 Flights

IndiGo’s operational chaos and nationwide disruption entered Day Six on Sunday, with over 500 flights cancelled across airports in the country by afternoon. IndiGo, in a statement on social media, said

it aimed to operate over 1650 flights, and had restored 95 per cent connectivity, with operations to 135 of 138 destinations. While the cancellations were fewer than Saturday’s 700 and Friday’s 1,000, there was no end to passengers’ suffering. Many took to social media to rant about the delays, cancellations and challenges with baggage handling. The airline has been struggling with crew shortages and scheduling issues since Tuesday, which has had a cascading effect on its domestic operations.

A look at what all transpired through the day:

INDIGO’S SUNDAY PERFORMANCE; PASSENGERS’ HASSLES

IndiGo cancelled more than 220 flights at Delhi and Mumbai airports on Sunday. Sources said at least 112 flights were cancelled at the Mumbai airport and 109 flights at Delhi airport. As per the official update, 140 flights were cancelled at the Bengaluru Airport.
A passenger, Runa Kumari said, “…I have a return ticket on 21st December…I am a working woman associated with the IT industry…I have reached here by train, but the return ticket is for a flight. So, my hours will suffer. Similarly, those with medical emergencies or some urgent work will be affected…Trains will take 12-13 hours to reach, however fast it might be. So, ideally, passengers should have been given the alternative to book tickets on another airline…”
Another passenger Pravita Hari said, “My flight’s departure time is 9.50 am. I am going to Mumbai with IndiGo. I got the message for web check-in at 3 am. So, I have to check whether my flight is leaving…”
Indigo in a statement on Sunday elaborated on what it called improvement in its performance. “Following the recent operational disruptions, IndiGo confirms that we are establishing further significant and sustained improvements across our network. The first step to this was taken yesterday, today next steps have been taken on this with lesser cancellations and a higher On Time Performance. Also, cancellations were made at an earlier stage, allowing us to inform our customers timelier…We are making very significant progress in restoring our flight schedules and strengthening our customer support systems.”

ALSO READ: IndiGo Flight Status Today Live Updates Here

“Today, December 7 we are on track to operate over 1650 flights, up from ~1500 yesterday. On Time performance 75%, up from ~ 30% yesterday. Refund and Luggage process in full action, both for direct bookings and indirect bookings,” said the airline.
The airline has urged customers to check the latest flight status at https://www.goindigo.in/check-
flight-status.html before proceeding to the airport. For refund assistance, customers can visit https://www.goindigo.in/refund.html or contact customer support.

#WATCH | A passenger, Runa Kumari says, "…I have a return ticket on 21st December…I am a working woman associated with the IT industry…I have reached here by train, but the return ticket is for a flight. So, my hours will suffer. Similarly, those with medical emergencies or… https://t.co/0pOQWB8nb7 pic.twitter.com/sRhYXXpZ7R

— ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2025

‘OPEN LETTER’ FROM INDIGO PILOTS

An unverified “open letter” purportedly from IndiGo pilots is doing the rounds on social media, which blames the top management, including the CEO, for the “downfall” of India’s foremost airline.
Addressed to “fellow citizens” and the “management of IndiGo”, the letter asks the airline to “look within” and names at least eight officials, including CEO Pieter Elbers, for causing the massive operational failure leading to a chaotic situation at major airports across the country over the past week.
Claiming to be an “insider”, who chooses to remain anonymous, the letter states that all IndiGo employees saw the crisis coming as it was “years in the making” and the airline “didn’t collapse in a day”.
“Open Letter to My Fellow Citizens, and to the Management of IndiGo, I am writing this not as a spokesperson, not as someone hiding behind corporate language, but as an IndiGo employee who has lived through every shift, every sleepless night, every humiliation, every squeezed pay cheque, and every impossible roster,” states the letter posted on X.

An open letter from @IndiGo6E pilots to people of India. https://t.co/yBr64JXXS7 pic.twitter.com/AXtvkHu6D3

— AWCS (@AeroAwcs) December 6, 2025

POLITICAL WAR OF WORDS

Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi directly held the government responsible for the chaos caused by IndiGo’s massive flight cancellations. “IndiGo fiasco is the cost of this Government’s monopoly model… India deserves fair competition in every sector, not match-fixing monopolies,” Gandhi wrote on X.
Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu defended the government’s role and rejected Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s accusation. The minister said the situation should not be turnedinto a political fight. He stressed that the government had consistently worked to promote competition in the aviation sector. Naidu explained that new legislation was introduced to reduce leasing costs, making it easier for airlines to expand their fleets.
Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol on Sunday said that passengers have endured mental harassment and distress due to IndiGo’s ongoing operational crisis and assured that steps are being taken to ensure accountability is fixed. Mohol said that instructions have been given to ensure all passengers whose flights were cancelled are refunded.

#WATCH | Mumbai: Visuals from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, where IndiGo passengers continue to be affected amid flight disruptions and cancellations. pic.twitter.com/si8ELSQ0Ou

— ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2025

Mohol said that they are closely monitoring the situation and have taken immediate action against the airline for not adhering to Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL). Mohol said, “Pilots’ Association had demanded that the duty hours should be reduced from 10 hours to 8 hours and for this, reforms be made to FDTL (Flight Duty Time Limitations). The Delhi High Court also gave its approval. After that, we alerted all airline companies in the country that we have to implement FDTL as per the High Court guidelines in two phases – from 1st July 2025 and from 1st November 2025. All airline companies worked on this but IndiGo did not take it as seriously as it should have.”
He further explained the reason behind the recent chaos and said that “DGCA has issued a show-cause notice to IndiGo” CEO, and a response has been sought within 24 hours. “The reason behind the situation that formed 4 days back, the chaos was that IndiGo and its management did not take this seriously. Through DGCA, we took immediate action. We appointed a 4-member investigation committee, a 24/7 control room was set up, and we kept FDTL regulations in abeyance until February 2026. DGCA has issued a show-cause notice to IndiGo CEO, and a response has been sought within 24 hours,” the MoS said.
Mohol also addressed concerns regarding airfare hikes by other airlines, adding that the “government is taking this matter very seriously and “action would undoubtedly be taken”.

Delhi Airport GMR says, "IndiGo flights may still experience delays. Passengers are advised to check the latest flight status with their airline before leaving for the airport to avoid inconvenience. Our teams are working closely with all stakeholders to minimize delays and… pic.twitter.com/evky3sdFaB

— ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2025

SET UP CRISIS MANAGEMENT GROUP (CMG) ON DAY ONE: INDIGO

The board of Interglobe Aviation, the parent company of IndiGo, has set up a Crisis Management Group (CMG), which is meeting regularly to monitor the situation, the airline said in a statement on Sunday.
The company’s Board of Directors is doing everything possible to take care of the challenges faced by its customers and ensure refunds to passengers, it added.
“The Board of Directors of Interglobe Aviation Limited (IndiGo) met on the first day that the problem of cancellations and delayed flights arose. The members received a detailed briefing from the management on the nature and extent of the crisis,” IndiGo said in a statement.
This meeting was followed up with a session confined to only Board members, in which it was decided to set up a Crisis Management Group (CMG), comprising, among others, Chairman Vikram Singh Mehta; Board Directors Gregg Saretsky, Mike Whitaker and Amitabh Kant, and CEO Pieter Elbers, it added.
The group has been meeting regularly to monitor the situation and is being constantly updated by the management on the measures being undertaken to restore normal operations, according to the statement.

#WATCH | Chandigarh | On IndiGo flight cancellation, Punjab Civil Aviation Secretary Sonali Giri says, "We held a meeting with the officials of IndiGo and other airlines, as well as CISF. A control room was set up here for the problems faced by the passengers and a number was… pic.twitter.com/COKT1ngq1H

— ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2025

NOTICES TO CEO, MANAGER: WHAT DGCA HAS DONE SO FAR

IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers and COO and Accountable Manager Porqueras on Saturday received DGCA notices, seeking explanations within 24 hours on the massive flight disruptions. “The main objective (of operating just 700 flights on Friday) was to reboot the network, systems, and rosters so that we could start afresh today (Saturday) with higher number of flights, improved stability, and there are some early signs of improvement,” IndiGo had said in a statement.
The airline said it operated 1,500 flights on Saturday. In the notices sent to Elbers and Porqueras, the regulator said the large-scale operational failures indicate significant lapses in planning, oversight and resource management. “… as the CEO, you are responsible for ensuring effective management of the airline but you have failed in your duty to ensure timely arrangements for conduct of reliable operations and the availability of requisite facilities to the passengers,” DGCA said in the notice sent to Elbers.
The notices mentioned that the primary cause of the flight disruptions is non-provisioning of adequate arrangements to cater to the revised requirements for smooth implementation of the approved FDTL (Flight Duty Time Limitations) scheme for the airline.

DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) issues a show-cause notice to The Accountable Manager of IndiGo Airline.

"…You are directed to show cause within 24 hours of receipt of this notice as to why appropriate enforcement action should not be initiated against you under… pic.twitter.com/QzGQcO1Ctv

— ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2025

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has asked Elbers and Porqueras to reply within 24 hours.
Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu, along with senior civil aviation ministry officials, held a “serious meeting” with Elbers to review the situation and address the issues, the official said. The meeting, held in the national capital on Saturday, was attended by Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha, and DGCA chief Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, among others.
There have been reports that the authorities might take strong action against the airline and its CEO.
The DGCA had on Friday set up a four-member inquiry panel to ascertain the reasons for the situation and recommend mitigation measures. The committee comprises Joint Director General Sanjay K Bramhane and Deputy Director General Amit Gupta, Senior Flight Operations Inspector Captain Kapil Manglik and Flight Operations Inspector Captain Rampal at the DGCA. The committee will submit its findings and recommendations to the DGCA within 15 days to enable necessary regulatory enforcement action and ensure institutional strengthening, the order said.

#WATCH | A passenger from Kolkata, Arnav says, "My flight today has been cancelled, I got the information last evening itself. I had a flight to Kolkata today at 7.20 am. I came here to check about the availability of flights. IndiGo operations are almost shut. If I go to other… https://t.co/Nzw4ZC51Q8 pic.twitter.com/gAJe0NXHCJ

— ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2025

RAILWAYS TO THE RESCUE

The Western Railway zone of Indian Railways is running multiple special trains amid the IndiGo flight cancellations. Railway Public Relations Officer Ajay Solanki said that they are adding extra coaches to regular trains in order to facilitate passengers. He requested the passengers to take advantage of these services and reach the station earlier to board the train.
“Considering the needs of the passengers, the Western Railways have decided to run special trains. Sabarmati-Delhi special train will be run on 7th and 9th December at 10.55 PM and will reach Delhi the next day at 3.15 PM… Another train, Sabarmati-Delhi Sarai Rohilla, will start on 7th December at 5.30 AM and reach Delhi Sarai Rohilla at 11 PM… The passengers are requested to take advantage of these services… They are also asked to arrive at the railway station half an hour earlier due to possible traffic delays… We will also add extra coaches to the trains to the regular trains- an AC 3-tier coach will be added to Ahmedabad-Thawe junction; 2nd Class AC coach will be added to Swarna Jayanti Rajdhani Express; sleeper coach will be added to Sabarmati-Jammu Tawi Express,” the railway official said.
Shubham Arya, IRCTC official, Ahmedabad, said, “Railways and IRCTC are operating special trains to Delhi. We have set up a counter here at the airport itself. We are booking tickets for passengers here on a direct payment basis. There are two trains to Delhi and booking can be done on the same.”

#WATCH | A passenger, Pravita Hari says, "My flight's departure time is 9.50 am. I am going to Mumbai with IndiGo. I got the message for web check-in at 3 am. So, I have to check whether my flight is leaving…" https://t.co/NCB1Qs5AAP pic.twitter.com/MQnRRqn83V

— ANI (@ANI) December 7, 2025

RECAP OF THE CAUSE OF CRISIS

The crisis unfolded as IndiGo struggled to implement new flight safety norms aimed at addressing pilot fatigue, a major concern highlighted in global aviation standards. These norms, announced by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) last year, were being introduced in phases across airlines.
However, IndiGo failed to reorganise its crew roster in line with the revised rules. This mismatch triggered a severe crew shortage, eventually leading to the cancellation of hundreds of flights daily and a breakdown of the airline’s operations.
To stabilise the situation, the DGCA has temporarily paused the implementation of the new safety norms. This has allowed IndiGo to slowly restore flights, with operations now “limping back to normal”, according to officials.
The new rules, which were first suggested in early 2024, were put in place in two phases this year, with the latest starting on November 1. As per the rules, the weekly rest period for pilots was increased by 12 hours, from 36 to 48 hours. The government said this would help pilots recover from tiredness. This rule is still in effect despite the IndiGo crisis.
The number of landings a pilot can do between midnight and early morning is now limited to two per week, down from six before. This is to improve safety because pilots are less alert at night. The government has paused this rule for IndiGo until February 10 because of the crisis.
The maximum time pilots can fly at night is now 10 hours. Night is defined as midnight to early morning. This rule is also on hold for IndiGo until February 10. If a pilot takes personal leave, airlines cannot count that as part of the required 48-hour weekly rest. The rest period must be separate from any leave, which pilots say was not always followed before. For now, all airlines are exempt from this rule to help restore normal air travel in India.
Airlines must now send quarterly reports about pilot fatigue and what actions they have taken to the Indian aviation regulator.

With PTI, ANI Inputs