New Delhi: IndiGo has announced that its network operations are steadily recovering, with over 95% connectivity reinstated after a large-scale disruption that caused flight cancellations across India and left thousands of passengers stranded. The airline said it plans to operate more than 1,500 flights by the end of Saturday as part of its efforts to stabilize services.
According to the airline, recent operational challenges forced it to cancel a significant number of flights on Friday, reducing its daily operations to just over 700 flights and temporarily shrinking network coverage to 113 destinations. IndiGo said this was a planned move to reboot flight schedules, crew rosters and system operations to restore normalcy.
A spokesperson stated that the intention behind the short-term cuts was to “start afresh” with a more reliable network and expressed optimism that performance improvements were already visible.
The airline added that it has resumed flights to 135 out of its existing 138 destinations, and expects further improvement over the coming days. “We understand there is still a long way to go, but we remain fully committed to regaining the trust of our customers,” the spokesperson said, thanking aviation authorities and partners for their continued support during the recovery effort.
IndiGo also issued a public apology as part of its latest communication, acknowledging the inconvenience caused to passengers affected by days of cancellations and delays.
Government Action and Passenger Support
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has stepped in with stringent directions as the situation enters its fifth day. The government has instructed IndiGo to process all pending refunds by 8 p.m. on Sunday and to return misplaced baggage to passengers’ homes or designated locations within 48 hours.
In response, IndiGo said refund requests were being prioritized and efforts were underway to ensure passengers receive timely updates at airports and through the airline’s website and notifications.
Meanwhile, the airline has urged customers to verify their flight status before heading to the airport and to reach out to customer support for any refund-related assistance.
Cause of Disruption
The widespread cancellations and delays are understood to have been triggered by an unexpected shortage of pilots, linked to deficiencies in staff scheduling and planning. This shortage affected flight rotations, leading to cascading disruptions across the network.
The setback comes at a crucial time for IndiGo, which typically handles one of the largest daily flight volumes in the country. The airline has said restoring operational stability remains its top priority.
As recovery continues, passengers are hopeful that the expanded flight operations and government-monitored service restoration plan will prevent further logistical issues.
