Air travel was thrown into chaos at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in Delhi today (December 3, 2025) as IndiGo, India’s largest airline, was forced to cancel a staggering 38 flights. This massive operational disruption left hundreds of passengers stranded at the airport terminals, desperately seeking alternatives and clarity regarding their travel plans.
The cancellations primarily affected both domestic and a few international sectors operating out of Delhi, one of the busiest airports in the country. The sudden spate of cancellations led to long queues at the customer service counters, filled with frustrated and distressed travelers.
What Caused the Cancellation Crisis?
IndiGo attributed the large number of cancellations and subsequent delays to a combination of factors:
- Operational Constraints: A significant internal issue related to crew availability, aircraft rotations, or mandated rest periods (Flight Duty Time Limitations - FDTL) was cited as a primary reason.
- Weather Conditions: The airline also pointed to prevailing poor weather, including dense fog and low visibility conditions, which have recently affected flight schedules in the North Indian region. This initial weather delay compounded the pre-existing operational challenges.
Sources within the airport suggest that the simultaneous impact of fog-related delays and crew duty limitations created a cascading effect, making it impossible for the airline to adhere to its published schedule.
Passengers Stranded and Left Frustrated
Hundreds of passengers, many of whom had reached the airport hours in advance, found themselves stranded without immediate solutions. Several travelers took to social media to vent their frustration, sharing images of overcrowded terminals and insufficient assistance from the airline staff.
"We were informed about the cancellation barely an hour before our scheduled departure. There has been no clear communication about rebooking or compensation," stated a passenger stranded while trying to fly to Mumbai.
IndiGo released a brief statement acknowledging the disruptions and expressing regret for the inconvenience caused. The airline confirmed that passengers whose flights were canceled were being offered the option of a full refund or re-accommodation on the next available flight. However, due to high traffic volumes, securing seats on alternative flights proved challenging and led to long wait times.
