Mass delays and cancellations spill into the work week as airports issue fresh advisories and the Centre pushes for strict passenger safeguards.
Nationwide flight disruptions at IndiGo stretched into Monday, with delays and cancellations affecting thousands of travellers for the third consecutive day. Delhi Airport issued a fresh advisory warning passengers to check real-time schedules before heading to the terminal as the airline continued to struggle with operational instability.
The scale of the disruption remained severe across major metros, with long queues forming at booking counters and luggage belts as stranded passengers sought refunds, re-bookings and missing baggage.
Civil Aviation Minister Addresses Crisis in Parliament
Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Union Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu said the crisis was triggered by crew-rostering lapses and internal planning issues within IndiGo’s management systems.
He clarified that strict Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) are already in place to safeguard passengers during prolonged delays and cancellations, and airlines are obligated to follow them.
On software-related issues, Naidu said an inquiry is underway while calling regular technological upgrades “routine” in the aviation sector. He added that the government remains committed to raising Indian aviation standards to top global benchmarks.
In the meantime, IndiGo has been ordered to:
- comply with revised fare caps
- increase transparency in passenger communication
- expedite refunds and compensation
- trace and deliver all separated baggage within strict deadlines
Airport-Wise Disruptions on Monday
🔹 Delhi (IGI Airport)
Total cancellations today: 134 flights
• 75 departures
• 59 arrivals
🔹 Bengaluru (Kempegowda International Airport)
Total cancellations today: 127 flights
• 65 arrivals
• 62 departures
Airport authorities said the next operational update will be released after 6 p.m.
🔹 Thiruvananthapuram Airport
Minor disruptions reported: 5 cancellations
• 2 arrivals
• 3 departures
Only 1 arrival and 2 departures operated so far today, according to airport officials.
Delhi Airport Issues Fresh Advisory
Delhi Airport said that IndiGo flights “may continue to experience delays”, urging travellers to:
- check flight status before leaving home
- reach out to help desks for assistance at the terminal
- use alternative transport options (metro, buses and cabs) which are running normally
Authorities said they are “working closely with all stakeholders to minimise disruptions and ensure a smooth travel experience”, adding that medical assistance and traveller support have been deployed across terminals.
Uncertainty for Travellers Persists
With cancellations now extending into the work week, aviation industry observers say it may take time before IndiGo restores full operational stability. The ongoing inquiry and corrective measures are expected to determine how quickly the airline recovers from what has become one of the largest operational breakdowns in recent years.