Indigo Crisis: 562 Flights Cancelled on Day 7, Passenger Outrage Mounts; Aviation Minister Takes Tough Stand
The crisis at Indigo Airlines continues to escalate, with passengers facing severe disruptions. On Monday, the seventh consecutive day of cancellations and delays, Indigo scrapped 562 flights due to a shortage of pilots and crew. Stranded passengers at airports across the country vented their frustration on airline staff, unable to retrieve their checked-in luggage. Major airports including Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru saw piles of unclaimed baggage accumulating.
Holding 65% of India’s domestic aviation market, Indigo’s operational breakdown has left thousands in distress. The cancellations and rerouted flights have scattered suitcases and bags containing essentials like passports, house keys, and medicines. Despite government orders to return luggage promptly, passengers continue to wait. Vikas Bajpai, who traveled from Kanpur to Pune with his mother for a wedding, has been waiting four days for his bag. He says no one can tell him when he’ll get it back. His story is echoed by thousands of others.
According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, 134 of the cancelled flights were in Delhi. Of the 9,000 stranded bags, only 4,500 have been returned to passengers. Between November 21 and December 7, a total of 955,591 tickets were cancelled, and ₹827 crore has been refunded to affected travelers.
In the Rajya Sabha, Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu squarely blamed Indigo for the crisis. He emphasized that there will be no compromise on safety and that all airlines must follow regulations. The government is investigating the cancellations and promises action that will set an example for other operators. Naidu stated that Indigo failed to manage crew scheduling and duty rosters properly. Regarding Flight Duty Time Limit (FDTL) guidelines, he noted that 22 directives were issued—15 effective from July 1 and the remaining seven from November 1. When Indigo met with the ministry on December 1, the airline did not raise any concerns about FDTL.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) may summon Indigo CEO Pieter Elbers and COO Isidre Porqueras for questioning. Meanwhile, Indigo has told DGCA that it is difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of the delays.
Minister Naidu also stressed that India needs five major airlines to meet growing demand. He said the government is working to encourage new entrants into the aviation sector. Addressing Indigo’s dominance, he assured that efforts are underway to promote competition. Maharashtra MP Milind Murli Deora suggested a comprehensive review to reduce entry barriers and ensure fair competition.
Naidu added that a technical glitch in the Automatic Message Switching System (AMSS) at Delhi’s IGI Airport on November 6 was promptly addressed. He also confirmed that investigations into GPS spoofing incidents are ongoing.
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