The ongoing turmoil at major airports across India can be traced back to a significant shortage of pilots at IndiGo. This situation led to the cancellation of over 550 flights, alongside extensive delays that impacted travelers from December 3 to December 4, 2025.
Flight Cancellations and Delays
On December 3, 2025, IndiGo canceled at least 200 flights due to pilot shortages, causing delays that extended up to 12 hours. By the following day, the disruptions continued, affecting the airline’s operations nationwide. Major airport hubs such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad faced severe operational challenges as IndiGo’s grounded aircraft occupied crucial parking bays.
Impacted Airports
- Mumbai: 85 flights canceled
- Bengaluru: 73 flights canceled
- Hyderabad: 68 flights canceled
- Chennai: 31 flights canceled
- Delhi: 30 flights canceled
Passengers at Hyderabad airport expressed their frustration by raising slogans, indicative of the widespread dissatisfaction among travelers. The situation forced other airlines to also cancel flights due to the lack of available parking for their own aircraft.
Government Response
IndiGo executives met with Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu and Faiz Kidwai, head of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), to address the escalating crisis. During the meeting, it was revealed that the cancellations stemmed from “misjudgment and planning gaps” related to new regulations on pilot rest and duty hours implemented on November 1. The airline acknowledged that the actual crew needs were higher than anticipated.
Immediate Measures Taken
In response to the disruptions, IndiGo plans to reduce flight operations starting December 8 to alleviate the ongoing delays and cancellations. The DGCA indicated that the airline must quickly deploy additional staff to assist passengers at airports.
IndiGo has requested a temporary exemption from the night flying restrictions until February 10, which the regulator will review. Additionally, the airline is required to submit a comprehensive plan detailing crew recruitment, aircraft induction, and training schedules.
Company’s Internal Communication
IndiGo’s CEO Pieter Elbers communicated the company’s crisis management approach to staff, emphasizing the complexities of the airline’s network and the need for broad interventions to resolve the disruptions effectively.
While efforts are underway to stabilize the situation, ongoing challenges remain a concern for both the airline and affected travelers. El-Balad will continue to monitor developments related to IndiGo’s operational status and the broader aviation industry’s response to this turmoil.
