IndiGo cuts operations to 1,650 flights out of 2,300 daily

In a fresh statement, IndiGo said it would operate 1,650 flights on Sunday, significantly lower than its usual 2,300 daily schedule, though an improvement from Saturday’s 1,500 flights.

The airline said it is establishing “further significant and sustained improvements across our network” and expects operations to stabilise by December 10. On-time performance has reportedly risen to 75%, according to the latest update.

Refund and baggage clearance processes, both for direct and indirect bookings, have been intensified to manage passenger fallout.

Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, said the government is closely monitoring the escalating situation. He stated that IndiGo’s failure to address operational issues promptly contributed to the crisis.

The disruptions have badly affected travel plans for Maharashtra’s ministers, MLAs, MLCs, and senior bureaucrats, who were scheduled to fly to Nagpur for the winter legislative session starting Monday.

With three daily IndiGo flights unavailable, and Air India fares soaring above INR 30,000 per seat, leaders are turning to road travel via the Mumbai–Nagpur Samruddhi Expressway, rail travel, though weekend trains are fully booked or pooling funds for private jet charters, especially for those who need to reach Nagpur urgently

Even the supposedly 7-hour journey on the Samruddhi Expressway is proving optimistic, given the time needed to navigate Mumbai’s traffic before reaching the Thane entry point.

The IndiGo operations crisis, now in its sixth consecutive day, is one of the most disruptive aviation events India has faced in recent years. With thousands of passengers stuck across airports, rising airfares, and pressure on alternative travel modes, the situation has taken on national significance.

IndiGo maintains that network stabilisation is underway and full recovery is expected by December 10, but regulatory scrutiny and government pressure are intensifying. For now, the situation is wait and watch as to how the damage-control pans out.