India’s aviation sector faces mounting operational challenges as IndiGo, the nation’s largest carrier, entered its fifth consecutive day of severe flight disruptions. Major aviation hubs including Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad reported extensive cancellations totaling hundreds of flights, creating widespread travel chaos and passenger inconvenience.
Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport witnessed 106 cancelled IndiGo operations—comprising 54 departures and 52 arrivals—according to official advisories released early Saturday. Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport reported even more significant disruptions, with 109 flights (51 arrivals and 58 departures) cancelled by 9:00 AM local time.
The southern hub of Hyderabad experienced substantial ripple effects, with GMR Hyderabad International Airport confirming 69 IndiGo cancellations involving 26 incoming and 43 outgoing flights. This operational meltdown persists despite the airline’s earlier assurances that services were ‘steadily resuming’ following what industry analysts identify as an acute pilot shortage crisis.
Aviation authorities have issued updated advisories urging passengers to verify flight statuses before proceeding to airports. While Delhi Airport officials noted that IndiGo’s operations are ‘getting back to normal,’ the continued scale of disruptions suggests deeper systemic challenges within the carrier’s operational framework. The situation highlights the fragile nature of airline operations and their vulnerability to staffing crises, affecting both domestic connectivity and potentially international travel circuits.