IndiGo flight chaos hits new high: CIAL issues advisory, 95 cancellations at Delhi Airport

Flight disruptions across India escalated sharply on Thursday, prompting Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) to issue an advisory warning passengers about widespread operational constraints affecting several domestic airlines.

In its statement released on December 4, 2025, CIAL said, "Certain domestic airlines are currently experiencing operational constraints, affecting services nationwide. CIAL is in continuous coordination with airline operations teams to support passengers and ensure the smooth functioning of airport services. Passengers are advised to verify the latest flight information with their respective airline."

IndiGo disruptions dominate chaos; Delhi Airport sees 95 cancellations

At Delhi Airport, authorities confirmed that 95 IndiGo flights—48 departures and 47 arrivals across domestic and international routes—were cancelled since morning. Earlier estimates of 30 cancellations ballooned rapidly as operational challenges intensified throughout the day.

Passengers stranded, delayed and frustrated nationwide

Airports in multiple cities, including Chennai, Patna, Mumbai, and Jammu, also reported severe delays and cancellations. Several passengers shared distressing accounts of cascading disruptions.

One passenger described a 48-hour nightmare, he said, "... I am fed up with IndiGo’s services. Yesterday, I had a direct flight from Mumbai to Kolkata, but it was cancelled and rescheduled via Chennai. After reaching Chennai, that flight was cancelled as well. They then revised my journey from Chennai to Port Blair and onwards to Kolkata. Now I have received another message saying that the Port Blair to Kolkata flight has also been cancelled..."

An IndiGo passenger, Satish Kale, says, "... Our flight was at 7 AM. But they did not say anything about it being delayed or cancelled. This morning, the paper reported that IndiGo is having some problems... People should have received a message in the morning that the flight might be delayed or cancelled... Both floors of Pune Airport are packed..."

Another passenger says, "... I feel like they are going against the government for some silent strike... They want to show that they are already a monopoly in the industry... They are saying that they don't have a crew... 3 passengers have fainted... They are looting the public money. The Government should find an alternative to Indigo...."

Pilots’ body flags deeper systemic issues

The Airline Pilots' Association of India (ALPA India) weighed in, expressing strong concerns over the nationwide cancellations—many attributed to crew shortages triggered by the implementation of new Flight Duty Time Limit (FDTL) norms.

In a strongly worded statement, ALPA India said, "The situation concerning the recent flight cancellations across India, allegedly attributed to pilot shortage due to new Flight Duty Time Limit (FDTL) norms, raises significant questions about the airline's management, regulatory oversight by the DGCA, and market fairness."

The pilots’ association further hinted at mismanagement, saying, “The core question is whether airlines' current pilot shortage is due to a failure in planning or a calculated strategy. It is more likely a combination of factors... This situation points to a failure of proactive resource planning by dominant airlines, potentially exacerbated by an effort to pressurise the regulator to dilute the promulgated FDTL norms for commercial gain.”

Uncertainty continues as calls for accountability grow.