IndiGo cancels 560 flights today; refunds touch Rs 827 cr, 4,500 bags returned
The airline has cancelled thousands of flights, issued Rs 827 crore in refunds, and launched a root cause analysis while the crisis group monitors recovery
IndiGo on Monday (December 8) cancelled 562 flights from six metro airports, as the airline’s operational crisis continued for the seventh straight day, even as the Supreme Court declined to hear a PIL on the disruptions, observing that necessary steps appeared to have been taken to manage the situation.
IndiGo, India’s largest airline, has been grappling with widespread operational issues since last Tuesday, leading to hundreds of cancellations and major rescheduling across its network.
Of the 560 cancellations, 150 (76 arrivals and 74 departures) originated from Bengaluru airport alone, news agency PTI reported citing unnamed sources. Those in Delhi included 83 departures and 60 arrivals. At Mumbai and Hyderabad airports, the cancellations were 98 (50 arrivals and 48 departures) and 112 (58 arrivals and 54 departures), respectively. While only two IndiGo flights were cancelled at Kolkata Airport on Monday, the number of cancellations at Chennai Airport reportedly stood at 56 arrivals and departures.
Earlier, aviation watchdog DGCA on Sunday gave more time to IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers and the Accountable Manager Isidro Porqueras to submit their responses to the show causes notices seeking their explanations on the flight disruptions.
Both have been granted 24 hours more or time till 6 pm on Monday to submit their replies, a senior official said on Sunday.
For six days in a row, IndiGo flight operations have been significantly disrupted resulting in massive flight cancellations and delays impacting travel plans of thousands of passengers. Against this backdrop, the regulator had issued the show cause notices.
Also read | IndiGo ramps up operations, issues Rs 610 crore in refunds after week-long disruptions
In the showcause notices issued on Saturday, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had asked Elbers and Porqueras to give their replies by Sunday evening. The official said the deadline for replies were extended following requests from both the airline executives.
The two executives on Sunday had sought additional time for a response citing operational constraints due to the scale of its nationwide operations and multiple unavoidable factors that contributed to disruptions across several airports, the official said.
Crisis group monitors situation
Meanwhile, IndiGo on Sunday cancelled over 650 flights while the disrupted operations were slowly stabilising as the number of cancellations reduced and more than Rs 610 crore worth ticket refunds were processed for the affected passengers.
While IndiGo will carry out a "root cause analysis" into flight disruptions that continued for the sixth consecutive day, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said passengers have endured mental harassment and distress due to the operational crisis and assured that steps are being taken to ensure accountability is fixed.
The board of IndiGo's parent InterGlobe Aviation has set up a Crisis Management Group (CMG), which is meeting regularly to monitor the situation, an announcement said on Sunday.
The airline expects operations to stabilise by December 10.
Ministry steps up oversight
The civil aviation ministry, which has taken various measures, including capping airfares and directing IndiGo to expedite ticket refund process, on Sunday said air travel operations across the country are stabilising at a fast pace.
The civil aviation ministry, which has taken various measures, including capping airfares and directing IndiGo to expedite ticket refund process, on Sunday said air travel operations across the country are stabilising at a fast pace.
The ministry also said IndiGo has processed Rs 610 crore refunds and delivered 3,000 pieces of baggage to passengers across the country as of Saturday. The figures went up to Rs 827 crore in refunds and 4,500 bags returned on Monday.
Airlines begins ‘root cause analysis’
In a video message to the staff, IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers said, "step by step, we are getting back" and that the airline's on time performance (OTP) is expected to be 75 per cent.
Also read | IndiGo crisis: Govt caps airfares, not to exceed Rs 18,000
The OTP, an indicator of punctuality, was 20.7 per cent on Saturday, as per the latest official data.
A senior airline official on Sunday told PTI that it will do a "root cause analysis" and asserted that the carrier has adequate number of pilots and there is no deficiency.
"Our pilot numbers are fine while we may not be having the luxury of a buffer," the official told PTI.
He also said there has been no hiring freeze amid concerns being raised in certain quarters that lean-operating model might have led to the current situation.
(With agency inputs)
Live Updates
- 8 Dec 2025 4:32 PM IST
Delhi HC to hear plea on IndiGo crisis and passenger relief
A petition has been moved before the Delhi High Court seeking an urgent hearing on issues arising from the ongoing IndiGo crisis. On Monday, the court scheduled the public interest litigation for consideration on December 10.
The plea calls for customer redressal in light of the large number of IndiGo flight cancellations and has requested directions for the Centre to assist affected passengers, including through refunds. The case will be heard by a bench led by Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, reported PTI.
- 8 Dec 2025 4:19 PM IST
IndiGo refunds Rs 827 crore amid operational crisis
IndiGo has issued refunds worth Rs 827 crore as it struggles with an operational crisis that has triggered widespread cancellations and the possibility of regulatory action, reported NDTV, quoting Civil Aviation Ministry officials.
They said 9,55,591 tickets booked between November 21 and December 7 were cancelled and refunded, while nearly 6 lakh bookings worth Rs 569 crore were cancelled between December 1 and December 7 alone. Around 4,500 of the 9,000 stranded bags have also been returned, with the remaining expected to be delivered within 36 hours.
IndiGo, which previously operated around 2,200 flights a day before the crisis escalated last Tuesday, plans to run 1,802 flights to 137 of its 138 destinations on Monday. The airline said its parent company, InterGlobe Aviation, has formed a Crisis Management Group (CMG), which has been meeting regularly since its first session on December 4.
The CMG’s mandate is to restore full operational integrity, maintain timely communication, speed up refunds and rescheduling, and ensure baggage is promptly returned.
IndiGo’s disruptions began after it failed to adjust its roster planning to comply with the second phase of Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms, affecting airports nationwide. The airline has acknowledged planning lapses behind the crisis.
- 8 Dec 2025 4:07 PM IST
Over 5.8 lakh flyers hit as IndiGo crisis forces major refunds
The civil aviation ministry said on Monday that more than 5.8 lakh passengers have been affected by IndiGo’s ongoing crisis since last Tuesday. The ministry also noted that Rs 827 crore has been refunded to travellers whose flights were cancelled between November 21 and December 7. In addition, 4,500 bags have been returned to IndiGo customers who were separated from their luggage during the disruptions.
- 8 Dec 2025 3:48 PM IST
IndiGo Stock falls 8 per cent amid operational crisis
IndiGo flights cancelled live: IndiGo’s share price fell sharply again on Monday, dropping 8 per cent as the country’s largest airline continued to struggle with an operational meltdown that has triggered widespread flight cancellations and raised the prospect of regulatory penalties.
The crisis, which began last week and has quickly turned into a major ordeal for passengers and a public relations setback for the carrier, has led to a cumulative stock decline of 16 per cent. According to a Reuters report, the slide has erased roughly $4 billion from the airline’s market value, bringing its current valuation to about $21 billion.
- 8 Dec 2025 3:45 PM IST
Air India chief thanks staff for support amid IndiGo Disruptions
Air India CEO Campbell Wilson acknowledged the efforts of airline staff as IndiGo’s crisis left passengers seeking alternative travel options. With India’s largest carrier facing widespread cancellations, Wilson said the situation had created intense pressure on aviation personnel and thanked his team for their response. “It has been an extremely busy few days for many of you, and I want to convey my deep appreciation for the effort you are making to support travellers and colleagues,” he said, as quoted by the Hindustan Times.
Wilson also urged employees to continue extending support to others in the industry. Highlighting the importance of compassion during difficult circumstances, he noted that their actions had a real impact. “The assistance and empathy we can provide at this challenging time makes a genuine difference to others, and I have been touched by many stories of Air Indians stepping up to the occasion,” he added.
- 8 Dec 2025 3:33 PM IST
IndiGo sets up crisis group to address ongoing disruptions
IndiGo officials said on Monday that a Crisis Management Group (CMG), created on December 4, has been meeting every day to track the ongoing disruption. The CMG was formed during the first meeting on December 4 and has since been reviewing all matters linked to the current situation.
Officials stated that the group’s main priorities include restoring full operational integrity, ensuring timely communication, accelerating refunds and rescheduling, and helping passengers receive their baggage. “We continue to work around the clock to bring the network back to full capacity,” the airline said.
Earlier in the day, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) granted IndiGo’s Accountable Manager and Chief Executive Officer a one-time 24-hour extension to reply to the Show Cause Notice issued on December 6 over widespread disruptions and observed non-compliances.
The extension followed a request dated December 7, in which the two functionaries sought more time, citing operational constraints tied to IndiGo’s extensive network and several unavoidable factors behind delays at multiple airports.
After reviewing the request, the DGCA extended the deadline only until 1800 hours on December 8, stressing that no further extensions would be given. It added that failure to submit a full response would lead to an ex-parte decision based on existing records.
The regulator said it continues to monitor the situation, with emphasis on passenger safety, compliance, and restoring normal operations.
- 8 Dec 2025 3:27 PM IST
IndiGo flight chaos: Major flight cancellations, refunds and baggage delays reported
Amid the ongoing IndiGo flight chaos, the Ministry of Civil Aviation reported large-scale cancellations and refunds across two defined periods. For the week of December 1 to December 7, 2025, a total of 586,705 PNRs were cancelled, resulting in refunds amounting to Rs 569.65 crore. During the broader window from November 21 to December 7, 2025 (up to 23:59 hours), cancellations rose to 955,591 PNRs, with total refunds reaching Rs 827 crore.
Updates were also issued on baggage handling. Of the roughly 9,000 bags that had been left undistributed, about 4,500 have now been delivered to passengers. The remaining baggage is expected to be returned within the next 36 hours, according to the ministry.
Regarding operations, IndiGo plans to operate 1,802 flights today, connecting 137 of its 138 destinations. Despite this, approximately 500 flights are still expected to be cancelled as the airline works to restore normalcy across its network.
- 8 Dec 2025 1:49 PM IST
Junior Hockey World Cup: IndiGo crisis disrupts travel plans of players' families, fans
24 teams are participating in the Junior Hockey World Cup, being held in Chennai and Madurai from November 28 to December 10. For most players and their families, it is their maiden trip to India. Many NRIs have also flown in to support the Indian team.
However, the widespread flight delays and cancellations have thrown schedules into chaos. IndiGo cancelled thousands of flights last week, citing regulatory changes in the pilots' flight duty and regulations norms. This resulted in lakhs of passengers getting stuck at airports across the country.
Some fans from Bengaluru, who had booked their flight tickets months in advance, decided not to take a risk. They opted for refunds and drove down to Chennai on Sunday to catch the semifinal.
Even officials have not been spared by the flight disruptions. Digvijay Singh, an official of the Hockey India League franchise, waited eight hours at the Patna airport to catch a flight to Chennai.
With the World Cup set to wrap up in two days, uncertainty about people's plans to return home looms large. With prices of alternative flights rising and train seats nearly impossible to find, fans, officials, families and journalists are monitoring travel apps as closely as match updates.
If the situation does not improve soon, returning home could be as challenging as winning matches on the field.
- 8 Dec 2025 1:45 PM IST
Civil aviation minister says Indigo crisis stems from internal crew-rostering issues
Speaking in the Rajya Sabha on the Indigo flight crisis, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said that strict Civil Aviation Requirements (CARs) are already in place to safeguard passengers affected by delays and cancellations, and that all airline operators are required to adhere to them.
He noted that an inquiry has been initiated into the reported software issue and added that the aviation sector undergoes continuous technological upgrades.
He emphasised that the government’s aim is to uphold top global standards within India’s aviation sector.
He also clarified that the ongoing disruptions stemmed from problems within IndiGo’s internal crew-rostering and planning systems.
- 8 Dec 2025 1:33 PM IST
Priyank Kharge blames Indigo, Centre for chaos amid flight cancellations
Commenting on the IndiGo flight cancellations, Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge said the DGCA has effectively fallen into a duopoly trap. He argued that both the airline’s lack of response and the government’s lack of accountability are causing greater hardship for citizens. Kharge also recalled Prime Minister Modi’s earlier remark stating that people wearing “Hawaii slippers” can fly in flights, noting that today those very slippers are being thrown at officials at the airports.
