According to the airline’s website, IndiGo operates more than 2,200 flights daily. Government data from Tuesday shows its on-time performance plunging to 35%, implying that over 1,400 flights were delayed in a single day, a dramatic fall for a carrier known for its punctuality.

The situation remained grim on Wednesday, with airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad collectively reporting nearly 200 cancellations by afternoon.

A major reason behind the operational collapse is a shortage of pilots and cabin crew following the implementation of revised Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms last month.

The rules, which mandate longer rest periods and more humane rosters, have forced IndiGo to realign its massive network—something the airline has struggled to manage.

Several flights were grounded due to a shortage of cabin crew, while many others experienced delays of up to eight hours. With IndiGo controlling over 60% of India’s domestic aviation market, the ripple effect has been felt across the entire system.

In a statement, IndiGo acknowledged the disruption and apologised to passengers, citing “a multitude of unforeseen operational challenges,” including minor tech glitches, winter schedule changes, weather issues, congestion, and the impact of new crew-rest regulations.

Airports across India hit

Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport saw early morning chaos after 33 IndiGo flights—arrivals and departures—were cancelled.

Bengaluru’s Kempegowda airport reported 42 cancellations, affecting routes to Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Goa, Kolkata, and Lucknow.

Passengers complained about receiving last-minute alerts and experiencing prolonged waiting times. “I have been stranded since 3 a.m. and have missed an important meeting,” one traveller posted on X. Another wrote that their flight was repeatedly delayed without adequate notice.

At Delhi Airport, the situation was worsened by a slowdown in the Amadeus system, used by multiple airlines for check-in and departure control. This led to long queues and slow processing, further aggravating the manpower crunch.

IndiGo said it has initiated “calibrated adjustments” in schedules for the next two days to restore stability. Affected passengers are being offered refunds or alternative travel options.

The airline urged travellers to check their flight status before heading to the airport.