Hundreds of IndiGo flights cancelled for third consecutive day, travellers frustrated

Adding to the frustration and chaos among travellers in India, it is another day when thousands of IndiGo flights have been cancelled, as the suspension remain intact for the third consecutive day.

IndiGo has a 60% market share and over 2,000 daily flights, and yet continues to face pilot shortages thanks to its failure to adapt to new crew rostering rules.

This latest flight cancellation setback marks the second this week, following the Airbus's 6,000-strong aircraft grounding after an issue was detected in the entire Airbus fleet's flight control system.

The situation has left thousands of passengers stranded, all during a peak travel season, particularly affecting flights from the capital, Delhi.

When will IndiGo flights return to normal?

Planning to reduce its flight schedule starting 8 December to minimise further disruptions caused by flight cancellations, IndiGo announced that it would not return to normal operations until February 10, 2026.

The Indian federal aviation minister also expressed "clear displeasure" regarding IndiGo flights coming to a standstill and how it's handling it, and the aviation regulator cited "misjudgment and planning gaps" in the airline's implementation of new flight duty time regulations.