The disruption of IndiGo’s domestic flights from Delhi stretched into a fifth consecutive day on Saturday, leaving tens of thousands of travellers stranded. The cancellations and delays sparked mounting frustration and raised serious questions about airline planning and passenger safety. Amid widening chaos, the government and railways are scrambling to restore order.
Indigo Cancelled Flights
Officials blame a severe pilot shortage, triggered by planning gaps. The sudden deficit left IndiGo unable to crew the large number of flights scheduled to depart from Delhi. With around 2,300 flights operated daily by the airline, even a minor manpower imbalance has now led to widespread disruption.
IndiGo’s punctuality, once among the top in India, has now taken a hit. The airline’s operational disruption is expected to continue until the staffing and scheduling issues are resolved.
Government Involvement in Indigo Crisis
In response to the crisis, aviation authorities ordered a high-level, four-member committee to probe the root causes. Their task is to assess what went wrong, identify responsibilities, and recommend corrective actions.
The Civil Aviation Minister also spoke out. He said that restoring normal flight services and safeguarding passenger interests is the government’s “immediate priority.”
“We have formed a committee … to establish where things went wrong and who did it wrong. We are going to take necessary action on that also,” he added.
Railways Steps Up — 37 Trains, 116 Coaches Added
With air travel crippled, many passengers turned to the rails. In response, the national railways added 116 extra coaches across 37 premium trains, expanding capacity to meet surging demand. One zone alone handled major augmentations and over 100 upgraded trips nationwide.
The push aims to ease pressure on rail services and provide an alternative for those stranded by flight cancellations.
Signs of Recovery at Delhi Airport
At Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, operations are beginning to stabilise. Airport authorities issued a passenger advisory stating that IndiGo flight activity is “gradually resuming.” This hints at a possible return to near-normal service — though uncertainty lingers until staffing issues are resolved fully.
What Travellers Should Know Right Now
- Check flight status online — avoid going to airports if the flight is cancelled.
- Be prepared for delays and rerouting — consider rail alternatives if timing is tight.
- Keep documents handy for refund or rebooking — airlines and authorities might offer options once schedules resume.
- Expect continued disruption — recovery is likely gradual, not immediate.
Why This Crisis Matters
IndiGo handles a massive share of India’s domestic air traffic. Its collapse exposed how fragile large-scale operations are when crew and scheduling planning fail. The ripple effect disrupted not just individual travel plans but national transportation dynamics — pressuring both airlines and railways.
For many travellers — seniors, business passengers, students, families — this disruption caused major hardship. The government’s intervention and the railways’ swift augmentation highlight the gravity of the breakdown.
