IndiGo processed over ₹610 crore in refunds following flight cancellations across India, easing travel chaos and meeting regulator expectations.
NEW DELHI: IndiGo has issued passenger refunds worth more than ₹610 crore after the airline cancelled over 1,600 flights in early December, causing major disruption at airports across India. The low-cost carrier has come under regulatory scrutiny for operational delays, with stranded passengers demanding swift compensation and answers. The airline says the refund drive is one of the largest in Indian aviation history.
The crisis began after changes in crew duty time rules impacted IndiGo’s scheduling system, which in turn caused a shortage of available flight staff. The unexpected disruptions were compounded by seasonal fog, airport congestion, and technical issues. This led to thousands of passengers being stuck at terminals in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad.
In response, IndiGo has rolled out refunds and rebookings through its website, app, and airport counters. The Civil Aviation Ministry has confirmed ₹610 crore has already been refunded, and additional baggage claims are being processed. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has also issued a show-cause notice, warning the airline to streamline operations and prevent further public inconvenience.
To stabilise the situation, rival airlines were asked to temporarily increase flight capacity, and airfare caps were introduced to protect travellers from surge pricing. IndiGo expects services to normalise by December 10, with passenger trust a top priority. Authorities have praised the refund move but continue monitoring the airline’s response.
