News Delhi :
India’s largest airline, IndiGo, has announced full refunds for all flights canceled between December 5 and 15, 2025, offering major relief to thousands of stranded passengers as the country grapples with one of the worst aviation disruptions in recent years.
The crisis—marked by over 200 cancellations, widespread delays, and operational paralysis—stemmed from a perfect storm of technical failures in IndiGo’s booking systems, severe weather across northern India, and air traffic control (ATC) congestion at major hubs such as Delhi and Mumbai.
The fallout was immediate and intense. Viral videos from airports showed crowded terminals, families sleeping on floors, and frustrated passengers clashing with staff, fueling nationwide outrage and calls for accountability.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu visited the ministry’s command center on December 6 to oversee live monitoring, instructing airlines to cap surge fares, add extra staff, and ensure timely passenger assistance. The DGCA also imposed a ₹10 lakh penalty on IndiGo for failing to meet mandatory passenger-rights obligations.
On December 5 alone, more than 15,000 passengers were impacted. Authorities now expect partial normalization by December 8, though industry insiders warn that lingering delays may continue across congested routes.
IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers issued a public apology:
“We deeply regret the inconvenience caused and are working around the clock to restore operations.”
The airline confirmed that all affected customers will receive refunds within 7–10 days via their original payment method, and advised travelers to check the IndiGo app for updated rebooking options.
Aviation analysts note that the meltdown exposes deeper structural weaknesses in India’s aviation ecosystem, which now handles over 150 million passengers annually. Persistent concerns include ATC staffing shortages, infrastructure strain, and limited weather-resilient routing systems.
Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, have blamed the government for “poor oversight,” while experts criticized chronic underinvestment in airspace modernization.
As airlines and regulators scramble to restore stability, the incident has reignited debate over India’s readiness to manage a rapidly expanding aviation market without stronger contingency protocols.
