Air travel across India was disrupted this week as the country’s largest airline, IndiGo, canceled thousands of flights, prompting the government to step in and increase train services to deal with the travel woes of several passengers.
For five consecutive days, IndiGo has canceled hundreds of flights, upsetting several passengers across the country. With the reduced number of flights, ticket prices on some routes have subsequently risen sharply.
Amid the uncertainty regarding the upcoming flight schedules, here we answer some frequently asked questions —
How many flights were canceled today?
IndiGo said it had canceled more than 800 flights on Saturday, far less than Friday’s tally of more than 1,000, and was handling all customer refund issues “on priority”.
Why do IndiGo flights keep getting cancelled?
IndiGo had earlier attributed the crisis to “a number of unforeseen operational issues”, including minor technical glitches, winter schedule changes, congestion and adverse weather conditions.
Meanwhile, PTI reported that the airline has informed the aviation regulator that it is facing significant transitional challenges in schedule planning and crew availability as per FDTL Phase 2 requirements and also said it is working “determinedly” to get its operations back on track across the network.
Read also | At 8.5%, IndiGo’s performance hit a record low on Friday
When will passengers be refunded?
Amid the ongoing flight cancellations, the Civil Aviation Ministry has directed IndiGo to expedite all pending passenger refunds. The ministry has set a deadline for refunds for all canceled or interrupted flights until Sunday 7 December 2025 at 20:00.
Will passengers be charged any rescheduling fees?
Airlines have also been advised not to impose rescheduling fees on passengers whose travel plans have been cancelled. The ministry clarified that any delay or non-compliance in refund processing will result in immediate regulatory action.
When are passengers most likely to receive their luggage?
IndiGo has been directed by the Ministry of Civil Aviation to trace and deliver within 48 hours all baggage separated from passengers due to cancellation or delay to the residential or preferred address. Airlines are also required to keep passengers well informed of tracking and delivery plans and offer compensation as mandated by passenger rights regulations.
Read also | Cancellations fall below 850, teams work to stabilize schedules: IndiGo
Will passengers have to pay skyrocketing fares during the IndiGo crisis?
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has taken serious note of the concerns regarding the unusually high fares charged by some airlines during the ongoing disruption. In order to protect passengers from any form of opportunistic charging, the Department has used its regulatory powers to ensure fair and reasonable prices on all affected routes.
Will there be any action if airlines charge high ticket prices?
The ministry said it will continue to monitor fares using real-time data and active coordination with airlines and online travel platforms. Any deviation from the prescribed norms will trigger immediate corrective action in the larger public interest, the ministry said.
What does IndiGo promise now?
In a statement issued on Saturday, December 6, the airline pledged to get its operations back on track.
“Our teams are focused on stabilizing schedules, reducing delays and supporting customers during this period. We continue to work to gradually reduce this number over the next few days,” the statement said.
“We are prioritizing all refunds from customers. We are also working closely with all airports and partners to ensure timely updates are provided to customers in terminals, on our website and through push notifications,” he added.
Where can IndiGo passengers check their flight status?
IndiGo has urged passengers to check the latest flight status before traveling to the airport.
