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IndiGo has grounded all domestic departures from Delhi airport until midnight, worsening ongoing nationwide disruptions that have affected its operations for several days.
The Delhi airport confirmed the move on its official X account. “IndiGo domestic flights departing from Delhi Airport on 5th December 2025 are cancelled till midnight today (till 23:59 hours). Operations for all other carriers remain as scheduled. Our dedicated on-ground teams are working diligently with all partners to mitigate the disruption and ensure a comfortable passenger experience. For the latest flight status, please check our official website www.newdelhiairport.in.”
How widespread are the cancellations?
The airline has faced widespread cancellations across India, with more than 400 flights cancelled on Friday alone, according to PTI. Passengers at major airports endured long delays and uncertainty as IndiGo struggled to stabilise its network.
Delhi was the worst hit, with over 220 flights cancelled, followed by Bengaluru with 100 cancellations and Hyderabad with nearly 90. Other major airports also reported significant disruptions, highlighting the scale of operational challenges facing the airline.
Why is IndiGo facing such chaos?
IndiGo cited “a multitude of unforeseen operational challenges”, including minor technology issues, winter schedule changes, bad weather, high airport congestion and new crew duty rules as the reasons for the disruption.
The major reason behind the disruption is the new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) rules implemented by the DGCA in January 2024, aimed at improving pilot and crew safety. Key changes include:
- Longer weekly rest periods
- Expanded definition of night duty
- Reduced night landings
- Lower duty hours for pilots (night shifts cut from six per roster to two)
- IndiGo expects to resume normal operations by Feb 10
The airline informed the DGCA that it will begin scaling down operations from December 8, with “normalised and stable’’ schedules expected by February 10, 2026. Additional cancellations may continue for the next two to three days during the realignment.
How should passengers prepare?
- Check flight status online before leaving for the airport
- Arrive early as queues may be long
- Carry snacks, water and medicines, especially for families and senior citizens
- Use flexible or refundable tickets if possible
- Follow IndiGo’s social media and customer care for rescheduling and refund updates
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