No Proper Meals, Costly Tickets’: IndiGo Chaos Leaves Flyers Stranded; Over 550 Flights Hit

IndiGo Crisis Deepens as Goa & Chandigarh Become Major Disruption Hotspots

Several major airports across India descended into confusion and frustration on Friday as IndiGo’s ongoing operational crisis spiralled into one of the worst aviation disruptions in recent years. Massive cancellations, hours-long delays, and heated confrontations between passengers and airline staff marked the fourth consecutive day of turbulence for the country’s largest carrier.

A video from Goa airport showed furious passengers shouting at IndiGo employees as security personnel attempted to control the situation, reflecting the widespread outrage fuelled by poor communication, repeated rescheduling, and a lack of basic passenger support.

Mass Cancellations Across Major Airports

IndiGo cancelled more than 700 flights, the highest single-day disruption in its 20-year history, as a mix of technical issues, crew shortages, and scheduling failures crippled operations. PTI reported widespread cancellations and delays across key metros — 118 in Mumbai, 100 in Bengaluru, 75 in Hyderabad, 35 in Kolkata, 26 in Chennai, and 11 in Goa — with additional disruptions in Bhopal and other cities.

Goa Hit Worst: Tourists and Locals Left Stranded

Goa airport witnessed one of the most dramatic breakdowns, with 14 cancellations and over 25 flights delayed by more than three hours. Weekend travellers, tourists, and work-bound passengers were left stranded with little clarity on when they would be able to fly.

The rescheduling chaos also affected Mumbai City FC, who were left waiting at the airport for nearly 10 hours before managing to reach Goa on Thursday morning for their Super Cup semifinal. Their flight, originally scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, was repeatedly pushed past midnight.

Many passengers expressed frustration at the poor handling of the crisis. Naveen, whose Guwahati–Pune flight was diverted to Goa, said:
“No accountability and no support. No proper meals for nearly 13 hours after we reached the airport.”

Karnataka Passengers Stuck in Chandigarh

The ripple effects were felt far beyond metro cities. Around 20 passengers from Karnataka were stranded at Chandigarh airport with no IndiGo flights available to Bengaluru. Travellers who had arrived from different parts of the state, including Chintamani in Chikkaballapur district, complained of long hours without “proper meals” or guidance.

While the airline offered refunds, passengers said last-minute flight alternatives to Bengaluru were priced at ₹30,000 or more, making them unaffordable for many.
“We can’t afford these last-minute fares. IndiGo has given no option to reschedule,” said one stranded flyer.

Read More : No Proper Meals, Costly Tickets’: IndiGo Chaos Leaves Flyers Stranded; Over 550 Flights Hit

Nationwide System Failure Sparks Government Intervention

IndiGo, which operates around 2,300 flights daily, saw its on-time performance crash to 19.7%, down from 35% just two days earlier. The airline has warned that more cancellations are likely over the next 2–3 days as it attempts to restore stability.

The crisis stems from a combination of crew availability issues, planning lapses, and technology failures. The airline acknowledged that it miscalculated staffing needs following recent changes to night-duty rules—a decision it has now temporarily reversed to ease crew pressure.

Senior IndiGo officials were summoned by the Civil Aviation Ministry and the DGCA, which sought detailed explanations and demanded urgent corrective actions. The regulator continues to monitor the unfolding situation closely.

As thousands of travellers remain stranded across the country, public anger and demands for accountability grow louder, with many calling the disruption a wake-up call for stronger oversight of airline operations in India.

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