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IndiGo’s nationwide flight chaos is finally easing, but the scale of disruption is only now becoming clear- Rs 610 crore in refunds, thousands of stranded bags, and urgent government intervention. With flights rising again, is the worst really over?
IndiGo ramps up operations as refunds top Rs 610 crore
New Delhi: India’s largest airline, IndiGo, is steadily emerging from the operational meltdown that recently disrupted air travel across the country. The Civil Aviation Ministry announced significant progress in restoring normalcy, including substantial refunds to passengers and rapid improvement in flight operations.
According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), IndiGo has processed ₹610 crore in refunds for passengers whose travel plans were affected by mass cancellations and delays over the past week.
The government had earlier instructed the airline to complete all pending refunds related to cancelled or severely delayed flights by 8 PM on Sunday, ensuring that travellers do not face financial uncertainty during the disruption.
Passengers rebooking flights impacted by the crisis have been assured that no extra charges will apply for rescheduling. Dedicated support centres have also been set up to handle refund and rebooking requests swiftly.
— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) December 7, 2025
After days of widespread cancellations, IndiGo’s flight operations have seen a sharp rebound. The airline, which typically operates around 2,300 flights daily, managed to run about 1,500 flights on Saturday, a significant jump from just over 700 flights on Friday.
The Ministry noted that operations further improved on Sunday, with IndiGo expected to operate around 1,650 flights by the end of the day. The airline also confirmed that 137 out of its 138 destinations were active as of December 7.
IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers, in a message to employees, said the airline is gradually regaining stability. “Step by step, we are getting back,” Elbers said, adding that Sunday’s On-Time Performance (OTP) is projected to reach 75%.
In response to the temporary surge in airfares following cancelled flights and increased demand, the Ministry moved swiftly to cap ticket prices on affected routes.
Authorities said this measure was necessary to prevent fare exploitation and ensure affordability for passengers. Airlines have been directed to comply strictly with the updated fare ceilings, and the Ministry noted that prices have now “moderated to acceptable levels.”
A key concern during the disruption was baggage mishandling, with thousands of passengers reporting separated or delayed luggage. The Ministry ordered IndiGo to reconcile and return all stranded baggage within 48 hours.
As of Saturday, IndiGo had delivered around 3,000 pieces of luggage to passengers across the country, with continuous updates provided throughout the tracing process.
Airport Directors at major hubs including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Goa—confirmed that terminal operations have largely returned to normal.
Crowding at check-in counters, security lanes, and boarding gates has eased, while airports have deployed additional staff to assist passengers affected by schedule disruptions.
The Ministry’s round-the-clock control room remains operational, coordinating real-time updates on flight schedules, airport conditions, crew availability, and passenger assistance. Officials said passenger calls are being addressed promptly, and on-ground teams continue to monitor compliance with operational and service standards.
With flight numbers rising steadily, refunds processed on a massive scale, and airports reporting normal conditions, the IndiGo crisis appears to be stabilising rapidly. While some challenges remain, government officials and the airline’s leadership say the system is moving decisively towards full normalisation.
