IndiGo Flight Cancellations LIVE: Jammu Airport Impacted as Nationwide Disruptions Continue
Jammu Airport faced disruptions today as IndiGo, India's largest airline, grapples with widespread flight cancellations across the country. The situation stems from pilot-rostering issues following the implementation of new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms on November 1, which mandate longer rest periods for pilots. These disruptions have led to significant inconvenience for travelers, with deserted check-in counters and frustrated passengers becoming a common sight at airports nationwide, including Jammu.
While the situation remains fluid, there were reports of improvements at Jammu Airport with IndiGo announcing the resumption of nine of its eleven scheduled flights. However, two flights connecting Jammu with Mumbai and Hyderabad will remain suspended for now. This partial restoration offered some relief to stranded passengers, many of whom had been waiting for extended periods. One relieved passenger, Rajni Goyal, expressed her frustration with the lack of clear communication regarding flight status during her two-day ordeal. Another passenger, Kashish, while happy with the partial restoration of services, expressed uncertainty about whether he would actually reach his destination.
Meanwhile, the situation at Srinagar International Airport was more severe, with seven inbound and seven outbound IndiGo flights cancelled on Saturday due to the same rostering problems. One additional flight operated by another airline was also cancelled.
The ripple effect of these cancellations has been felt across India. In Delhi, Indira Gandhi International Airport issued an advisory stating that IndiGo operations were "steadily resuming" after Friday's chaos, which saw over 1,000 flights cancelled. Mumbai Airport reported 109 IndiGo flight cancellations as of Saturday morning. Hyderabad Airport experienced 69 cancellations. Pune International Airport had reported 42 cancellations on Friday, with all departures after 4 PM called off.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has acknowledged the challenges faced by air passengers and stated they are actively engaging with stakeholders. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu emphasized that restoring normalcy at airports is the immediate priority.
IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers has expressed optimism that normal flight schedules will be restored between December 10 and 15. In the interim, the airline is offering automatic refunds for cancelled tickets and is expected to accommodate stranded passengers in hotels. Senior citizens are to receive special care, including lounge access, and passengers of delayed flights will be provided with refreshments and essential amenities.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has set up a four-member panel to investigate the disruptions. The Ministry is also actively monitoring the situation through a 24/7 control room.
Congress MP Dr. Mallu Ravi has voiced concerns about the excessive dependence on a single dominant private carrier, highlighting structural vulnerabilities within the aviation sector. Meanwhile, SpiceJet is reportedly operating 100 additional flights to accommodate passengers affected by the IndiGo cancellations.
