Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport descended into chaos on December 6, 2025, as IndiGo’s nationwide operational collapse triggered emotional scenes among stranded passengers. The airline cancelled 19 flights between midnight and 6 AM alone, creating unprecedented congestion and despair among travelers facing irreversible professional consequences.
The human impact became starkly evident through Mahrishi Jani’s devastating account. His six-member team, selected for the prestigious Smart India Hackathon 2025 after months of preparation, saw their opportunity vanish due to flight cancellations. ‘Our hard work of 6-7 months is now wasted,’ Jani lamented to reporters, highlighting the absence of alternative transportation to reach Guwahati in time for the competition.
International traveler Ikhlaq Hussain echoed the frustration, stranded for two days despite having completed his journey from Jeddah. The crisis extended across multiple airports, with Bengaluru-bound passengers from Jodhpur reporting complete communication breakdowns with the airline. One distressed traveler noted, ‘No one from IndiGo is providing any answers. I have been standing here since morning.’
The regulatory landscape complicated matters as India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) suspended its Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) orders indefinitely. This unprecedented move followed days of escalating disruptions within IndiGo’s operations.
In response, the Ministry of Civil Aviation issued urgent directives mandating immediate stabilization measures. Airlines must now guarantee automatic refunds for cancelled flights, provide hotel accommodations for stranded passengers, and ensure special provisions for elderly travelers. A 24/7 government control room has been established to monitor the situation, with officials promising full normalization within coming days.
The ministry emphasized that ‘the Central Government is fully alert to the woes of air passengers,’ implementing rule exemptions and constant stakeholder consultations to resolve the crisis.