Pune airport chaos: IndiGo cancels 16 flights amid major operational disruption | VIDEO

Pune: Pune Airport witnessed widespread chaos as IndiGo cancelled multiple flights on Thursday, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded and frustrated. The disruptions were largely due to a shortage of crew, including pilots and cabin staff, compounded by the extended ground time of IndiGo aircraft awaiting crew availability. Delays affected flights on key routes such as Pune to Bengaluru, Delhi, Kochi, and Agartala, with some flights delayed by over an hour and 8 arrivals and 8 departures cancelled. Passengers reported poor communication and inadequate support during the extended wait times.

Airport Director Pune provided a detailed operational update, stating, "In view of ongoing airline operational disruptions affecting flight schedules, Pune Airport confirms that all operational teams across terminal management, security, apron services, and passenger facilitation remain fully mobilised to assist passengers and ensure smooth terminal functioning. As per the latest operational status, 8 arrival and 8 departure flights have been cancelled, 11 aircraft are currently on the ground, and 19 flights have been delayed by more than one hour."

The director highlighted the root cause of the disruption: "The primary cause of the disruption has been the extended ground presence of multiple IndiGo aircraft awaiting the availability of operating crew, resulting in the prolonged occupation of parking bays. This has severely constrained bay availability at the airport, leading to sequential delays to subsequent arrivals and departures across all airlines, irrespective of carrier, due to parking bay non-availability."

Pune Airport is collaborating closely with airlines, ground handling agencies, Air Traffic Control (ATC), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), and terminal service teams to manage the apron congestion, provide passenger support, and gradually restore normal flight schedules. The airline is also facing challenges such as technology issues, winter weather delays, and crew shortages aggravated by external recruitment activities in the aviation sector.

Passengers stranded at the airport expressed frustration over the lack of timely updates and customer care, with many stuck inside aircraft for hours without adequate refreshments or accommodation assistance.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken note and scheduled meetings with IndiGo representatives to address these operational disruptions and prevent recurrence.