Flight Disruptions & Delays in India: A Practical Survival Guide for IndiGo Flyers & Beyond
What is happening with IndiGo flights?
In early December, IndiGo faced one of its most challenging operational weeks, with hundreds of flights cancelled or delayed across major airports including Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Kolkata. On some days, more than 400 flights were cancelled nationwide, affecting both arrivals and departures and leaving many passengers stranded for hours.
The disruptions are linked to a combination of operational issues, including the rollout of new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules for pilots and internal planning gaps, which temporarily reduced available crew for IndiGo’s large winter schedule. While the regulator has granted temporary relief and the airline is restoring more flights daily, the impact on passengers has been significant.
What did Delhi Airport’s advisory say?
Amid this disruption, Delhi International Airport issued a passenger advisory specifically warning that IndiGo flights may still experience delays, even as operations gradually resume. The airport urged travellers to check the latest flight status directly with their airline before leaving home, to avoid unnecessary waiting at the terminal.
The advisory also reassured passengers that airport teams are working with all stakeholders to minimise delays and maintain a smooth travel experience inside the terminal. It highlighted that multiple transport options such as metro, buses and cabs remain available to help passengers reach and leave the airport more conveniently during this period.
Passenger Advisory issued at 13:05 Hours#DelhiAirport #PassengerAdvisory #DELAdvisory pic.twitter.com/TRidbjeRvv
— Delhi Airport (@DelhiAirport) December 7, 2025
How is IndiGo responding to the crisis?
IndiGo has publicly apologised for the inconvenience and acknowledged that a cluster of operational challenges led to the cancellations and severe delays. The airline has stated that its focus is now on stabilising the network, rebuilding schedule reliability and clearing pending customer service issues such as refunds and rebooking.
On recent days, IndiGo has operated more than 1,600 flights and restored over 95–98% of its destinations, which indicates that the network is slowly recovering. The airline has also reported a sharp improvement in On-Time Performance, moving from around 30% on a particularly bad day to about 75% as stabilisation measures take effect.
— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) December 6, 2025
What is DGCA and the government doing?
India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has issued a show-cause notice to IndiGo’s accountable manager, asking the airline to explain how its planning and internal controls allowed disruptions on such a large scale. Authorities have also highlighted possible gaps in operational readiness and oversight and have set up a panel to examine the airline’s handling of the new FDTL rules.
To protect passengers, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has stepped in to cap fares on affected routes, as last-minute ticket prices on other airlines shot up sharply when stranded flyers tried to rebook. Regulators have also directed IndiGo to clear pending refunds within a tight deadline and ensure that any baggage separated from passengers is traced and delivered promptly
VIDEO | On IndiGo flight disruptions, MoS Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol says, "Ever since the Delhi High Court issued its decision regarding the reforms to FDTL (Flight Duty Time Limitations) rules, our ministry and the DGCA notified all airlines across the country that they… pic.twitter.com/ICwmsh1PF0
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 7, 2025
What this means for Indian travellers today
For travellers from cities like Thane, Mumbai and across India, these disruptions are a reminder that even the most reliable airlines can face sudden breakdowns in schedule. When this happens, having a clear plan, realistic expectations and a trusted travel partner can make the difference between a manageable delay and a ruined trip.
In the short term, passengers flying with IndiGo, especially from Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Kolkata, should expect the possibility of residual delays or schedule changes until the airline reaches full normalcy. Even if your flight is operating, departure times may shift as the airline rebalances aircraft and crew across its network.
Before you book: smart choices that reduce risk
When planning new travel during or just after a disruption phase, a few careful decisions can significantly reduce the risk of missed connections and last‑minute headaches.
Key points to consider before booking:
Prefer non-stop flights where possible, rather than tight connections across multiple cities.
Avoid very tight layovers; allow a comfortable buffer between domestic and international sectors, especially when connecting to a long-haul flight.
Check recent performance trends on your chosen route and carrier, especially if you are travelling for time-sensitive reasons such as visa appointments, conferences or weddings.
For corporate travellers or families with critical commitments, booking through a professional agency like Beyond Travels can also help, as your itineraries can be designed with realistic buffers and contingency options from day one.
Before leaving home: your flight status checklist
On the day of travel, checking live flight status is no longer optional, especially during a period of airline recovery. Delhi Airport, in particular, has explicitly recommended verifying your IndiGo flight status with the airline before you start for the airport.
Practical checklist before you step out:
Check flight status on the airline’s official website or mobile app 3–4 hours before departure, then again before you leave home.
Monitor SMS, email and WhatsApp alerts from the airline or your travel consultant for any last-minute schedule changes.
Use the airport’s official website or flight information tools as a secondary reference to confirm the terminal and any major delays.
If you have booked through Beyond Travels, you can also reach out directly for reconfirmation and alternative suggestions if your flight looks at risk.
What to do if your flight is delayed
Delays can be frustrating, but a calm, structured approach helps you protect your time and entitlements. How you respond in the first 30–60 minutes often determines whether you manage a smooth replan or face an overnight ordeal.
Steps to follow if your flight is delayed:
Confirm the latest estimated departure time and reason for delay using official channels (app, website or airport display boards).
If the delay threatens a connection or important event, contact the airline or your travel consultant immediately to explore rerouting or alternative flights.
Keep digital copies of your ticket, boarding pass and any airline communication, as these may support future claims or refunds.
Where delays are very long, airlines may offer meal vouchers, rebooking options or other support depending on regulations, ticket type and internal policy. A professional agency can help you understand what you are reasonably entitled to and guide you through the process.
What to do if your flight is cancelled
Cancellations are more disruptive than delays but can still be managed efficiently with the right support. During the IndiGo disruptions, some airports saw over 100 cancellations in a single day, making self-management extremely challenging for individual passengers.
If your flight is cancelled:
Look for the official cancellation message from the airline (SMS, app, email) and check the rebooking or refund options provided.
If you have time-sensitive travel, immediately ask about alternative flights or different routes on the same or other partner airlines.
Keep receipts for any extra expenses such as hotels, meals or transport, as these may be relevant later when discussing compensation policies.
When you book through Beyond Travels, the team can step in to find the most practical replacement options, coordinate with airlines and, where needed, redesign the rest of your itinerary so that hotels, visas and onward flights still work together.
Understanding your rights and refunds
During the IndiGo crisis, authorities instructed the airline to clear pending passenger refunds within a defined timeline and to ensure that separated baggage was delivered within 48 hours. This reflects a broader expectation that airlines handle disruptions responsibly and transparently.
In India, airline obligations vary depending on whether your issue is a delay, cancellation or denied boarding, and whether the cause is within the airline’s control. While regulations continue to evolve, passengers should at minimum expect clear communication, honest timelines and a straightforward process for refunds or rebooking in such large-scale disruptions.
How Beyond Travels supports you during disruptions
As an IATA | TICO -certified travel and visa specialist, Beyond Travels already manages complex itineraries, multi-country routes and time-sensitive travel for clients across India. This experience becomes even more valuable when an airline suddenly cancels flights or changes schedules, especially for travellers heading for visa interviews, conferences, medical treatment or international holidays.
Key ways Beyond Travels can help:
Proactively tracking airline advisories and regulatory updates to alert you to risks on your planned route.
Handling rebooking, rerouting and travel date changes on your behalf, so you are not stuck in long queues or on endless call holds.
Aligning changed flight timings with hotel bookings, visa conditions and travel insurance coverage, so your trip still makes sense end-to-end.
This integrated approach allows you to focus on the purpose of your journey while a professional team manages the logistics in the background.
Practical packing and planning tips in a disruption phase
When there is visible system-wide disruption, packing and planning slightly differently can make your life much easier if you get stuck at the airport. Thoughtful preparation helps you stay comfortable, connected and ready for alternatives.
Consider these tips:
Keep essential medicines, documents, chargers and a change of clothes in your cabin bag, not inside checked baggage.
Carry some light snacks and a refillable water bottle (to be filled after security), especially if you are travelling with children or elderly family members.
Save digital copies of your passport, visa, tickets, hotel confirmations and insurance on your phone and cloud storage, so you can retrieve them even if paper copies are lost.
These simple steps reduce stress if you are asked to wait longer in the terminal or if your bag is delayed en route.
Corporate travellers: protecting productivity and reputation
For corporate travellers and inbound guests, a cancelled or heavily delayed flight is not just an inconvenience; it can impact meetings, events and client relationships. During periods of known disruption, businesses should take a more strategic approach to flight planning and on-ground support.
Beyond Travels can help corporate clients by designing itineraries with realistic buffers, flexible fare structures and clear escalation protocols if flights go off-schedule. This can include backup routing options, dedicated support lines and proactive communication with your HR or admin teams when a disruption occurs.
Why travel insurance matters more than ever
Large waves of delays and cancellations highlight the value of robust travel insurance, especially for international trips. Policies that cover trip interruption, missed connections and additional accommodation costs can cushion the financial impact when airlines and airports face systemic stress.
When planning travel through Beyond Travels, you can request customised insurance options aligned with your itinerary type, such as corporate trips, family holidays or medical visits. This ensures that the protection level matches your actual risk profile, rather than being a generic add-on.
Staying calm, informed and prepared
Air travel in India is growing rapidly, and occasional periods of disruption are likely to remain part of the landscape. What matters is not only which airline you choose, but also how well you plan your journey and who supports you when things do not go to plan.
By staying informed about advisories like the one issued by Delhi Airport, checking your flight status before leaving home, and partnering with a professional agency such as Beyond Travels, you can significantly reduce the stress and financial impact of future disruptions. Whether you are a first-time flyer or a frequent business traveller, the right preparation turns uncertainty into a manageable part of the journey, rather than a crisis.
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