India’s largest airline, IndiGo, canceled over 650 flights on Sunday as it entered the sixth day of operational disruptions. The airline reported a gradual stabilization of its services and has processed ticket refunds worth over ₹610 crore for affected passengers. Despite the improvements, IndiGo is conducting a comprehensive “root cause analysis” to understand the factors that led to this prolonged crisis. Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, criticized the airline for the extended disruptions, stating that passengers have experienced “mental harassment and distress,” and assured that accountability measures are forthcoming.
IndiGo’s parent company, InterGlobe Aviation, has set up a Crisis Management Group to monitor the situation, which convenes regularly to assess progress. The airline is hopeful to restore full operations by December 10. The Civil Aviation Ministry has intervened by implementing airfare caps and directing IndiGo to expedite the refund process. According to the ministry, flight operations nationwide are stabilizing efficiently.
Flight operations increased from 706 on Friday to an anticipated 1,650 by the end of Sunday. IndiGo mentioned that by Sunday, it would operate 1,650 out of its 2,300 daily flights, leaving 650 canceled. Specific airports witnessed significant cancellations, with at least 118 flights scrapped at Delhi and 121 at Mumbai.
In a video address, IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers assured staff that the airline is working toward recovery, aiming for an on-time performance (OTP) of 75%. Official data noted the OTP was only 20.7% on Saturday. A senior airline official indicated that there is no shortage of pilots, although the current operating model lacks flexibility. The disruptions are largely attributed to inadequate crew planning related to new flight duty regulations.
Other domestic airlines continue to operate smoothly and at full capacity while IndiGo’s services gradually improve. IndiGo’s Board of Directors is committed to addressing the challenges faced by passengers and ensuring prompt refunds. A parliamentary panel is also likely to summon airline executives and officials from the aviation regulator, DGCA, regarding the widespread disruptions. Opposition party Congress has criticized the government, with leader P Chidambaram asserting that the Ministry of Civil Aviation must maintain airfare caps until a duopoly in the airline sector is resolved.
Original Source: https://www.firstpost.com/india/indigo-cancels-650-flights-on-sunday-as-disruptions-enter-sixth-day-operations-gradually-stabilise-13957505.html
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Publish Date: 2025-12-07 22:20:00
