The nationwide operational meltdown at IndiGo has entered its fourth consecutive day, leaving a trail of stranded passengers, skyrocketing airfares, and personal distress. While the airline and regulator DGCA scramble for solutions, the real cost is being borne by travellers, as highlighted by a harrowing first-hand account shared on social media.
A Passenger's Nightmare: From ₹8.5k to ₹71k in a Flash
The human impact of the crisis was starkly illustrated by a Reddit user, bootpalishAgain. The user had booked a late-night IndiGo flight from Chennai to Delhi for ₹8,500, aiming to attend their brother's engagement ceremony the next day. However, just hours before the scheduled 8:30 PM departure, they received a cancellation confirmation.
With the family event being an unavoidable commitment, the frantic search for an alternative began. The user found that listings on travel portals like Yatra had virtually disappeared. The only available option was a seat on an Air India flight, priced at a staggering ₹71,000. Forced to pay over eight times the original fare, the user lamented how the situation allowed others to profit while IndiGo offered only a refund with a 3-4 day wait. The experience led to a call for fellow travellers and corporate managers to boycott the airline.
Systemic Breakdown: Pilot Shortages and Regulatory Pressure
This personal story unfolds against a backdrop of widespread chaos. As of Friday, all domestic IndiGo flights from Delhi's IGI Airport were cancelled till midnight, with similar massive disruptions at hubs in Bengaluru and Chennai. Industry observers and the airline itself point to a severe shortage of pilots and cabin crew as the primary cause.
This shortage is linked to the recent rollout of stricter Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The new rules mandate more rest for crew, exposing pre-existing planning lapses and roster mismanagement within IndiGo. In response, the DGCA has taken unprecedented steps, including forming a four-member high-level investigation panel and granting IndiGo temporary exemptions from the duty-hour rules until 10 February 2026 to help stabilise operations.
Passengers Bear the Brunt as Fares Skyrocket
The ripple effect of thousands of sudden cancellations has been a dramatic surge in airfares on other carriers. Routes that typically cost under ₹10,000 saw last-minute tickets being sold for ₹70,000 to ₹80,000 or more. While IndiGo has promised automatic refunds and accommodation for stranded passengers, these measures offer little solace to those facing immediate financial shock and the stress of urgent rebooking.
The government has directed airlines to ensure automatic refunds and arrange hotels or alternate transport. A 24x7 helpline has also been established. The DGCA's investigative panel is tasked with examining root causes like staffing and scheduling gaps, with a report expected within two weeks.
The Reddit account goes beyond statistics, revealing the profound human cost of airline failures: missed life milestones, severe financial strain, and a breakdown of trust. As IndiGo works to normalise its network by December 10-15, the episode raises critical questions about accountability and whether affected passengers will receive any compensation for their undue hardship.
