IndiGo ramps up operations, issues Rs 610 crore in refunds after week-long disruptions

On IndiGo flight cancellations, MoS Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol says, “Pilots’ Association had demanded that the duty hours should be reduced from 10 hours to 8 hours and for this, reforms be made to FDTL (Flight Duty Time Limitations). The Delhi High Court also gave its approval. After that, we alerted all airline companies in the country that we have to implement FDTL as per the High Court guidelines in two phases—from 1st July 2025 and from 1st November 2025. All airlines companies worked on this but IndiGo did not take it as seriously as it should have. The reason behind the situation that formed 4 days back, the chaos was the IndiGo and its management did not take this seriously.

“Through DGCA, we took immediate action. We appointed a 4-member investigation committee, a 24/7 control room was set up, we kept FDTL regulations in abeyance until February 2026. DGCA has issued a show-cause notice to IndiGo CEO, and a response has been sought within 24 hours. Regarding the rise in airfare of other airline companies, we have informed these companies regarding a chart to decide the same. We have also told IndiGo to refund the money of passengers without any cancellation and their luggage be returned within 24 hours.

“The government is taking this matter very seriously. Action will certainly be taken after the investigation committee's report comes. There is a slight improvement in the situation. We are working on it together to ensure normal operation of flight movements in the country...”

IndiGo spokesperson says, “The Board of Directors of Interglobe Aviation Limited (IndiGo) met on the first day the problem of cancellations and delayed flights arose. The members received a detailed briefing from the Management on the nature and extent of the crisis. This meeting was followed up with a session confined to only Board members, at which it was decided to set up a Crisis Management Group (CMG) comprising, amongst others, the Chairman, Vikram Singh Mehta; Board Directors, Gregg Saretsky, Mike Whitaker and Amitabh Kant, and the CEO Pieter Elbers. This Group has been meeting regularly to monitor the situation and is being constantly updated by the Management of the measures being undertaken to restore normal operations. In addition, there have been multiple telephonic discussions, including with Directors who are not members of the CMG...”

Actor Sonu Sood urged people to be “responsible citizens” and to control their frustration following the massive operational crisis with IndiGo flights, which left many stranded at the airport for hours without any confirmation.

Sood shared a video on his X handle on Saturday. The actor added how his own family also faced an issue with the flight getting delayed for over four hours.

“My own family was travelling and they had to wait for 4-4.5 hours. Many flights didn't take off, many were cancelled, and many people couldn't attend weddings. Meetings were cancelled, events were cancelled... But the saddest thing is how people are shouting at the ground staff at the airports,” he says in the video.

The 52-year-old actor said several videos have been circulating online which show people shouting at the ground staff at the airport.

“As responsible citizens, it's very important for us to make sure that we do not react to them because they are helpless and they do not have any answers. Please try to stay calm. Control your anger and respect them,” he added.

“A delayed flight is frustrating, but remember the faces trying to fix it. Please be nice and humble to the IndiGo staff; they are carrying the weight of cancellations too. Let’s support them,” he wrote in the caption.