A massive wave of flight cancellations by IndiGo happened. And then passengers found themselves stranded for days, missing everything from exams to family events.
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The air travel chaos that hit in early December, especially with IndiGo—which moves 65% of India’s domestic passengers, let’s be real—caused an absolute mess. Stories of people missing medical emergencies and the elderly waiting hours dominated the news.
There is some relief now. Operations are gradually stabilizing. The airline is operating over 2,000 flights daily again, and Delhi Airport even issued an advisory saying “normalcy was returning.” But here’s the kicker: some cancellations are still happening. As of December 12, airports like Delhi and Bengaluru were still seeing flight cancellations, though the scale is definitely much smaller than last week’s meltdown.
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The Current Situation: What Travelers Need to Know
Cancellations Continue: Yes, they are still happening. IndiGo officially says operations have resumed, but The Indian Express noted that airports like Bengaluru and Delhi still saw cancellations on December 12. For instance, on Friday, December 12, IndiGo reportedly cancelled around 160 flights just from Delhi and Bengaluru airports alone. The DGCA has even stepped in, ordering a 10% reduction in IndiGo’s schedule to stabilize things.
Refunds and Compensation: IndiGo announced on December 11 that it processed refunds for all cancelled flights. They even confirmed that tickets booked through third-party agents would be fully refunded. They are also setting aside over ₹500 crores for compensation payouts to customers who were “severely impacted” and stranded between December 3 and 5, which is an ongoing process.
Regulatory Action: This whole fiasco was tied to the airline’s failure to adapt to new pilot rest rules (Flight Duty Time Limitations, or FDTL). The DGCA has taken stern action, suspending four Flight Operation Inspectors for failing to flag the airline’s crew shortfall. Accountability is being fixed.
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Your Essential Travel Checklist
One week in, the biggest question is whether to wait or just head to the airport. The answer is preparation.
Check First, Then Leave: Even though things are stabilizing, always check your flight status on the airline’s website or app before you leave home. Last-minute changes are still possible.
Reach Early: Airports are still seeing heavier-than-usual crowds. Arriving early will help you navigate security and baggage more smoothly.
Know Your Rights: If your flight is delayed for non-weather reasons, know you are eligible for certain things like meals (for short-haul delays over two hours) or compensation for cancellations close to departure.
Pack Smart (The Veteran Tip): Frequent flyers say simple habits make the difference:
Carry a fully charged phone and a power bank.
Keep essential medicines and light snacks in your cabin bag.
Save airline and airport hotline numbers in advance.
Patience, preparation, and timely checks are the name of the game right now. Air travel is expected to smooth out in the coming days as the airline works towards a full recovery, which they are currently targeting for February 10, 2026.
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