IndiGo flight chaos: Airline offers free cancellation, rescheduling till Dec 15
Centre asks IndiGo to complete refund process for cancelled flights by Sunday evening; warns airlines against opportunistic pricing and orders strict compliance
With IndiGo flight disruptions impacting thousands of passengers, the civil aviation ministry on Saturday (December 6) directed the airline to complete the ticket refund process for the cancelled flights by Sunday evening, as well as ensure baggage separated from the travellers are delivered in the next two days.
The ministry said any delay or non-compliance in refund processing will invite immediate regulatory action. The refund process for all cancelled or disrupted flights must be completed by 8 pm on Sunday, the ministry said in a statement.
"Airlines have also been instructed not to levy any rescheduling charges for passengers whose travel plans were affected by cancellations," it said.
Earlier on Saturday, the Centre cracked down on “unusually high airfares” in the wake of the disruption of IndiGo’s flight operations, with the Civil Aviation Ministry instructing all airlines to strictly adhere to the prescribed fare caps or face action in case of non-compliance.
Describing the skyrocketing fares as “opportunistic pricing”, the Civil Aviation Ministry has used its regulatory powers to ensure reasonable fares in all affected routes.
“The Ministry of Civil Aviation has taken serious note of concerns regarding unusually high airfares being charged by certain airlines during the ongoing disruption. In order to protect passengers from any form of opportunistic pricing, the Ministry has invoked its regulatory powers to ensure fair and reasonable fares across all affected routes,” stated the ministry in a release.
It further stated that the fair caps will remain in force till the situation stabilises, adding that the move is aimed at preventing “any exploitation of passengers in distress.”
“The Ministry will continue to closely monitor fare levels through real-time data and active coordination with airlines and online travel platforms. Any deviation from the prescribed norms will attract immediate corrective action in the larger public interest,” stated the ministry.
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Live Updates
- 6 Dec 2025 4:14 PM IST
IndiGo asked to boost passenger support, maintain auto-refund system
IndiGo has been directed to introduce dedicated support units to help passengers affected by its widespread flight cancellations, according to an official press release. The airline must establish specialised passenger assistance and refund facilitation cells designed to streamline communication and service recovery.
“These cells have been tasked to proactively contact affected passengers and ensure that refunds and alternative travel arrangements are processed without the need for multiple follow-ups," stated an official release as quoted by the Hindustan Times.
The release further emphasised IndiGo’s responsibility to maintain simplified refund procedures during the disruption. It stated that “the system of automatic refunds will remain active until operations stabilise completely,” underscoring the need for efficient compensation without passengers having to repeatedly seek updates.
These measures aim to reduce inconvenience for travellers who have experienced cancellations or schedule changes, ensuring that the airline provides timely information, support, and reimbursements throughout the operational crisis.
- 6 Dec 2025 4:10 PM IST
Air India caps domestic fares, adds capacity amid travel surge
Air India and Air India Express announced that, beginning December 4, they have placed proactive caps on economy fares for non-stop domestic routes to avoid the surge in prices typically triggered by demand-based revenue systems.
Explaining the move, a spokesperson noted, “We are aware of screenshots of last-minute itineraries with one-stop or two-stop flights or a combination of economy and premium economy or business cabins taken from third-party platforms. It is not technically possible to cap all such permutations, but we are engaging such platforms to exercise oversight," reported the Hindustan Times.
The spokesperson further stated that “Air India and Air India Express are seeking to add capacity to help travellers and their baggage reach their destinations as quickly as possible,” emphasising that the airlines are working to ease passenger movement amid heightened travel pressure.
- 6 Dec 2025 4:06 PM IST
Passengers lose cool at Mumbai Airport over IndiGo flight cancellations
IndiGo passengers at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport grew visibly frustrated as nationwide flight cancellations continued, leading to a tense confrontation with airline staff at the ticket counter. Travellers, already impacted by widespread disruptions across the country, raised their complaints sharply as tempers flared.
- 6 Dec 2025 4:02 PM IST
Supriya Sule demands action as IndiGo flight chaos deepens
NCP MP Supriya Sule on Saturday demanded action against IndiGo after hundreds of its flights were cancelled over five days, leaving thousands of passengers across the country struggling.
More than 400 flights were cancelled on Saturday alone, after over 1,000 were scrapped on Friday. Sule said, "The Union government must take action against IndiGo. Thousands of people have faced difficulties in the last two days. We have raised this issue in Parliament."
She urged the Centre to clarify the causes behind the airline’s crisis, adding that the disruption had caused major financial and time losses. Sule said the government should promote more airlines and explain in Parliament why IndiGo’s services collapsed.
(With agency inputs)
- 6 Dec 2025 3:38 PM IST
Digvijaya Singh seeks probe into IndiGo flight disruptions
Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister and Congress MP Digvijaya Singh criticised the ongoing wave of IndiGo cancellations, noting that the airline, “once considered a very reliable airline, is going through a rough patch.” He said “no clear statement has come from either the government or the airline’s management,” leaving travellers confused and anxious.
Singh recalled facing a delay himself on a recent trip to Delhi, where he saw passengers panicking as they struggled to get information. Stressing the need for clarity and accountability, he said “what went wrong must come to the fore,” adding that growing privatisation has eroded transparency. He urged authorities to act, insisting “there must be a thorough investigation into this matter.”
- 6 Dec 2025 3:35 PM IST
IndiGo flight cancellations in Jammu leave travellers stranded
IndiGo cancelled several flights at Jammu Airport on Saturday, with three of 10 scheduled services grounded and another delayed, adding to nationwide disruptions. Passengers voiced anger over repeated last-minute changes.
A traveller from Delhi said she had already faced problems earlier and missed a wedding due to cancellations, adding, "I am glad it has started today....there was a lot of harassment two days before...I was travelling from Delhi to Jammu for a wedding, but I was not able to attend the wedding...all the money and time were wasted...They have spoiled my occasion..."," reported ANI.
Kashish, another passenger, said his aunt had been stranded for hours and criticised the airline’s handling, stating, "since yesterday we are struggling...we are not receiving clear updates…" Similar issues were reported at airports in Chandigarh and Patna, where passengers described repeated cancellations and lack of assistance. Major hubs including Hyderabad, Delhi, Ahmedabad and Kolkata also recorded extensive IndiGo cancellations, leaving many travellers waiting for clearer communication and support.
- 6 Dec 2025 3:28 PM IST
Congress blames Centre, regulator for IndiGo flight crisis
As IndiGo continues struggling to restore normal operations, the Congress sharply criticised the Centre and the Civil Aviation Ministry for failing to anticipate and manage the crisis.
Speaking to reporters, Congress MP Shashikant Senthil said the government had taken no meaningful steps despite warning signs. He argued that the Flight Duty Time Limitation rules issued in early 2024 gave airlines ample time to adjust, questioning why the DGCA did not ensure compliance.
Senthil said both the regulator and the ministry knew a major airline was unprepared but allowed the situation to escalate. He also alleged that the government permitted the aviation sector to narrow into a duopoly and raised concerns about IndiGo’s treatment by regulators. Former minister P. Chidambaram echoed these concerns, saying the cancellations reflect the consequences of a duopolistic market.
Amid the chaos caused by IndiGo’s widespread cancellations, the aviation ministry directed the airline to complete all pending refunds by 8 pm on December 7 and not impose rescheduling fees.
- 6 Dec 2025 3:11 PM IST
Southern Railway announces special trains after IndiGo flight chaos
Southern Railway announced on Saturday that it will run special services to manage the surge in passengers after IndiGo cancelled numerous flights over the past few days. Special trains will operate on the Chennai Egmore-Charlapalli and Secunderabad-Chennai Egmore routes, while selected long-distance services will receive an extra coach to accommodate increased demand.
Train No. 06019 will depart Chennai Egmore at 23:55 on Saturday, reaching Charlapalli at 14:00 on December 7. “In the return direction, Train No. 06020 Charlapalli-Chennai Egmore Express Special will leave Charlapalli at 18.00 hrs on 07th December, 2025 (Sunday) and reach Chennai Egmore at 08.30 hrs, the next day,” the release said, as quoted by PTI.
An additional AC three-tier coach will be attached to the Tiruchchirappalli-Jodhpur Humsafar Express, Dr MGR Chennai Central-Thiruvananthapuram Superfast Express and the Mumbai CST-Chennai Beach Superfast Express between December 6 and 10. The measures offer relief as IndiGo cancelled more than 400 flights on Saturday, prompting government oversight to address the disruption.\
(With agency inputs)
- 6 Dec 2025 3:01 PM IST
SCR adds special trains as IndiGo cancellations snarl travel
South Central Railway announced on Saturday that it would operate four special trains to handle the surge in travellers affected by the mass cancellation of IndiGo flights.
The move follows major disruption and long queues at the airport as numerous services were cancelled. In a press release, SCR said the additional trains would help clear the excess passenger traffic from Hyderabad to Chennai, Mumbai and Shalimar (Kolkata) today.
