The country’s largest private carrier, IndiGo, has cancelled a large number of flights across India hitting over 250 flight cancellations on Thursday, December 4, 2025.
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On Wednesday alone, about 150 flights were cancelled.
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By early Thursday, estimates show at least 175 more flights cancelled, bringing the total over the last two days to more than 300 cancellations.
Major airports across India including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune and Ahmedabad saw heavy disruption, affecting thousands of passengers.
IndiGo is in a terrible state right now.
— Arun Prabhudesai (@8ap) December 4, 2025
Flights getting cancelled one after another, chaos at the gates, passengers arguing with crew, zero communication.
My own flight has been delayed with no clarity, we’ve been at the airport for 2 hours just waiting for any update.
If… pic.twitter.com/X2K8Q5Hpyg
Why It Happened: Crew Shortage & New Regulations
The disruption stems from multiple factors, with a key reason being a serious crew shortage triggered by recent regulatory changes:
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New pilot rest and working-hour rules known as Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms came into force recently. The stricter norms require more rest for pilots and restrict certain night-flying hours.
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According to reports, IndiGo was unable to adjust its crew roster in time to comply smoothly with these new norms, causing widespread cancellations across its network.
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Along with crew shortage, other contributing issues include technical glitches, winter season schedule shifts, airport congestion, and weather, which exacerbated delays and cancellations.
Because of all this, the airline’s usual on-time performance once a major strength took a sharp hit.
Impact on Passengers & Airports
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Thousands of travellers were stranded: flights got cancelled or delayed, some were stuck on tarmacs, others spent hours in queues for refunds or alternate bookings.
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In cities like Bengaluru, passengers took to protests; long waits at counters, rising tempers as staff struggled to handle the sudden surge of disrupted travellers.
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The turmoil isn’t just about flights, the crisis has hit airline’s public image and finances. The parent company’s stock fell sharply (down ~6% over the week).
Because of this widespread chaos, the aviation regulator DGCA has stepped in summoning IndiGo’s leadership and asking for a mitigation plan.
What IndiGo Says & What’s Being Done
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IndiGo has issued an apology for the large-scale disruption. The airline says it has started “calibrated adjustments” to its schedule over the next 48 hours to stabilise operations.
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The carrier says the combination of new roster rules, unexpected technical issues, weather changes, and congestion together caused “unforeseen operational challenges.
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Authorities (DGCA) are investigating asking IndiGo to explain the cancellations and present a clear plan to avoid repeat disruption.
What You Should Do If You Have a Flight With IndiGo
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Check your flight status carefully don’t rely only on old confirmation emails or tickets.
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If your flight is cancelled, ask for alternate travel or refund you are entitled to it under aviation rules.
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Be ready for delays or last-minute changes, even in alternate flights — many travellers are reporting second cancellations or extended delays.
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Keep contact details, receipts and documentation ready for any refund or claim process.
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Consider alternate airlines or travel plans, especially if your journey is urgent or non-flexible.
