IndiGo travel chaos: 6 flight cancellations in Thiruvananthapuram; Ahmedabad reports 19 disruptions

IndiGo’s flight operations were significantly disrupted on Saturday, with multiple cancellations reported at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport and Ahmedabad Airport, affecting passenger travel across key domestic and international routes.

At Thiruvananthapuram, six domestic flights were cancelled, impacting travel on the Delhi, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru sectors.

The airport had 22 domestic movements scheduled for December 6, comprising 11 arrivals and 11 departures, along with four international operations, two arrivals and two departures.

Passengers were advised to coordinate with IndiGo for rescheduling and updates.

Ahmedabad Airport also experienced disruptions, with seven arrivals and 12 departures cancelled between midnight and 6 am on Saturday.

The cancellations come amid ongoing operational challenges for the airline, which has faced a spike in delays and cancellations in recent weeks.

In response to the operational crisis, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Friday ordered the formation of a high-level, four-member committee to examine the circumstances leading to widespread disruptions at IndiGo.

The DGCA noted that the airline had failed to adequately prepare for the implementation of revised Duty Period, Flight Duty Period, Flight Time Limitations, and Prescribed Rest Periods under the FDTL CAR 2024, introduced following a Delhi High Court ruling earlier this year.

The regulator highlighted deficiencies in manpower planning, crew rostering, and compliance readiness, which resulted in cascading delays and daily cancellations reaching 170–200 flights, significantly higher than other carriers.

IndiGo reportedly struggled to forecast crew availability, complete mandatory training on time, and adjust duty rosters, contributing to the operational breakdown.

The DGCA-appointed committee comprises Joint Director General Sanjay K Bramhane, Deputy Director General Amit Gupta, and senior safety officials Captain Kapil Manglik and Captain Lokesh Rampal.

The panel has been tasked with identifying the root causes of operational disruptions, assessing manpower planning, roster systems, and readiness for FDTL CAR 2024 implementation, and reviewing IndiGo’s mitigation measures.

The committee will also evaluate accountability for operational failures and IndiGo’s compliance with the revised FDTL provisions.

The DGCA has directed the panel to submit its findings and recommendations within 15 days, enabling regulatory enforcement and measures to prevent large-scale flight disruptions in the future.