IndiGo restores 95% of its flight network and plans 1,500 flights by day’s end [Photo: X]
IndiGo said on Saturday that it has re-established more than 95% of its network connectivity after days of massive disruptions. The airline expects to operate over 1,500 flights by the end of the day, marking a sharp improvement from its disrupted schedule.
On Friday, IndiGo had managed only a little more than 700 flights, serving 113 destinations after cancelling many flights. But by Saturday, the airline reported being operational to 135 out of its 138 destinations, signalling a strong recovery.
According to the airline, the slowdown in operations earlier was part of a deliberate “network reboot” — resetting crew rosters, flight schedules, and systems to stabilise operations.
IndiGo Cancellations dropped to below 850 on Saturday, a relief compared to over 1,000 cancellations on Friday, which was the worst day of the crisis so far. Still, while the airline is optimistic about restoring normal service, it cautioned that full recovery will take time, and passenger trust needs rebuilding.
In response to sharp price surges caused by limited flights and high demand, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) imposed strict fare ceilings for economy-class domestic flights.
IndiGo Flights Under the cap:
These fare limits exclude additional fees like UDF, PSF and taxes. Business-class and RCS-UDAN flights remain outside the cap.
The move aims to prevent price gouging during the crisis and to safeguard passengers from unreasonable fare hikes.
The abrupt crisis followed the enforcement of new crew safety rules under revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL). These rules increased rest requirements for pilots and limited night-duty hours.
According to regulator DGCA, the airline’s crew-planning missteps and poor readiness for the new norms resulted in sudden manpower shortage — triggering cancellations and delays. IndiGo requested certain temporary relaxations from DGCA and got limited relief to help stabilise some operations.
Though operations have improved, the airline and regulators emphasize that full normalcy won’t return overnight. Flights will gradually ramp up as crew rosters stabilise and aircraft scheduling returns to regular levels.
For those flying soon: Check flight status at the airport or on IndiGo’s website before heading out. The airline said it is coordinating closely with airports and providing notifications.
With fare caps in place, you should expect economy flights within the set price limits (₹7,500–₹18,000 depending on distance) — no sudden price hikes. If your flight has been cancelled or disrupted recently, expect easier refunds or re-booking help, as the airline reportedly prioritizes passenger support.
IndiGo appears to have turned a corner, but passengers and travellers should stay alert for schedule changes in the next few days.
