IndiGo faced severe public backlash on Wednesday when massive delays and disruptions of flights left thousands of passengers stranded at major airports, including Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. Complaints flooded social media; many travellers described the situation as "an absolute mockery" of airline operations and passenger care.
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Hours-long delays hit key airports
According to passengers posting on social media, delays stretched from anywhere between 30 minutes to over five hours at several airports. As per a report by the Hindustan Times, in Mumbai and Bengaluru alone, approximately 70 flights were delayed, causing long queues at the check-in counters and crowding near the departure gates. Many passengers reported repeated changes in timings for departures and said information from the staff remained inconsistent.
IndiGo issues statement on disruptions
The backlash prompted IndiGo to issue an official statement, elaborating on the widespread delays. According to the carrier, it was facing "operational challenges" such as technology issues, airport congestion and other operational requirements.
“We have had several unavoidable flight delays and some cancellations in the past few days due to various reasons, including technology issues, airport congestion, and operational requirements. Our teams are working diligently to ensure that operations normalise as soon as possible. Furthermore, we are offering alternate flight options or refunds to affected customers, as applicable”, ANI reported the airline as saying.
Passengers vent frustration online
Travellers took to X throughout the day, frustrated at the extended delays, with some users claiming their flights had been pushed back by more than 12 hours.
One passenger reported, "I’m currently wasting my time in the Delhi Airport lounge, thanks to the fabulous efficiency of @IndiGo6E flight 6E 5347, delayed by a whole 4 hours. And of course, they didn’t bother informing us, because IndiGo believes quality time is best spent at the airport rather than at home."
Another user wrote, “Absolute chaos & mockery at #Delhiairport. #Indigo staff are leeches who are lying & passengers are stranded since past 12+ hours with no confirmation. My flight is delayed for 7+ hours now. Never flying Indigo again. This needs to be investigated.”
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Chaos reported at Hyderabad airport
Tensions ran high at the Hyderabad airport, as hundreds milled around the IndiGo helpdesk, pushing for explanations in extended delays. A video on social media showed passengers raising their voices, flapping their tickets and demanding explanations from the staff. IndiGo said flight 6E-786 operating from Mumbai to Hyderabad was delayed by close to 10 hours on operational grounds. The flight was scheduled to take off on the morning of December 2, but departed only the next morning.
