Indigo confirmed a multi-day breakdown in its network as CEO Pieter Elbers apologised to employees on 5 December 2025 after airports across India faced cancellations and delays. The airline acknowledged that several operational strains converged and affected services for passengers and staff.
What changed in Indigo operations
The airline said a mix of technology issues, shifting rosters and weather disruptions pressed its systems. Elbers noted in an internal message, cited by the Hindustan Times, that crew availability fell after newly revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) took effect. These rules reduce maximum working hours for flight crews. The changes forced rapid schedule adjustments across rotations.
PTI reported that more than 300 Indigo flights were cancelled since Tuesday. Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad recorded the highest disruption, including 95 cancellations at Delhi Airport alone.
Impact on travellers and airline staff
Large crowds formed at terminals as passengers looked for other flights. Ground teams, pilots and cabin crew faced extended shifts while trying to stabilise operations. Elbers thanked airport authorities, air-traffic controllers and engineers for helping manage the disruptions.
The airline said nearly 380,000 daily passengers were affected during the week. Indigo operates a high-utilisation model, which depends on tight aircraft turnaround times. As several issues emerged at once, pressure increased on rotations across busy metro hubs.
How Indigo responded
The company began adjusting schedules and moving available crews to priority routes to restore punctuality. In his note, Elbers said the airline had earlier upgraded software on 200 Airbus A320 aircraft within 24 hours, highlighting the capacity of coordinated teams. He cautioned that restoring the full schedule would take time because of the size of the network.
What happens next
Indigo stated that operations are being recalibrated as peak travel continues. Airports and regulators are monitoring recovery efforts. The airline said it will continue resolving bottlenecks while maintaining communication with aviation authorities.
