Indigo Flights Grounded in Delhi, Nationwide Disruptions Continue
New Delhi – In a major blow to travelers, IndiGo, India's largest airline, has cancelled all domestic departures from Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) until midnight tonight, December 5, 2025. This unprecedented move has left hundreds of passengers stranded and scrambling for alternative travel arrangements. The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) confirmed the cancellations via a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, stating that the cancellations are in effect until 11:59 PM today. DIAL has also assured that its on-ground teams are working to minimize the disruption for passengers. However, operations for all other carriers remain as scheduled.
The situation in Delhi is part of a wider operational meltdown for IndiGo, with significant disruptions reported across major airports in India. Over 500 flights have been axed across the country, with more than 220 cancellations at Delhi Airport alone. Other airports severely affected include Bengaluru, with over 100 cancellations, and Hyderabad, with approximately 90 flights grounded. Goa's Dabolim Airport has also seen 30 domestic flight cancellations. Passengers have reported chaotic scenes at airports, including long delays, misplaced baggage, and unresponsive customer service. Frustrated travelers have staged protests at some airports, decrying the lack of information and support.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Ministry of Civil Aviation are closely monitoring the situation. IndiGo has attributed the widespread disruptions to "misjudgment and planning gaps" in the implementation of the Phase-2 Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) regulations, designed to ensure adequate rest for pilots. The airline admitted that the actual crew requirement exceeded their initial estimations. Since November 1st, IndiGo has struggled with pilot rostering issues following the implementation of the new FDTL rules.
IndiGo has informed the DGCA that it anticipates continued cancellations for the next few days and will be reducing services until December 8 to mitigate further disruptions. The airline projects that normal operations will not be fully restored until February 10, 2026. To minimize passenger inconvenience, IndiGo has requested operational exemptions for its Airbus A320 flights until February 10, 2026. The DGCA has instructed IndiGo to strengthen passenger support and ensure airfares do not spike due to the reduced capacity.
The ongoing crisis has caused a surge in airfares, with reports of same-day tickets on alternative airlines between Mumbai and Delhi reaching exorbitant prices. The disruptions have particularly impacted passengers needing to book last-minute travel. Passengers are advised to check their flight status and contact IndiGo customer service for updates and rebooking options.
