IndiGo to operate over 1,500 flights as 95% network connectivity is restored by Dec 6

IndiGo said it expects to operate over 1,500 flights by the end of Saturday, December 6, 2025, after days of mass cancellations that stranded passengers across India and overseas routes. The airline said it has now restored more than 95% network connectivity, with services running to 135 of its 138 destinations, as it works to move back toward a normal schedule.

What changed since Friday

The announcement marks a sharp turn from Friday, when IndiGo deliberately cut its operation to just above 700 flights and served only 113 destinations. The carrier said it cancelled large parts of its schedule as a reset of systems and crew plans following an operational crisis that began earlier in the week.

By Saturday, the airline said cancellations had dropped below 850 flights, which it presented as clear improvement. That reduction, it argued, gave room to ramp back up to more than 1,500 flights by the end of the day — while warning that stabilising operations was still in progress.

Passenger impact and reaction

IndiGo, India’s largest carrier by market share, faced mounting anger from passengers stuck at airports and on overseas routes. Social media filled with photos of long queues and accounts of people who said they received little information about why flights disappeared or when they might be able to travel.

• Some travellers reported sleeping on terminal floors or paying large sums for last‑minute tickets with other airlines.
• Families returning from weddings or religious events described waiting hours in line, only to be told to come back the next day because no seats were available.

In its latest statement, the airline apologised again and announced consumer relief measures (see below).

Consumer relief measures announced by IndiGo

IndiGo said it is taking steps to reduce passenger burden:

• Waiving cancellation and rescheduling fees for travel between December 5 and December 15, 2025.
• Prioritising refunds for passengers who no longer want to fly.
• Rebooking passengers as seats open up on the restored schedule.
• Promising improved communication through terminal screens, website updates and direct notifications to customers’ phones.

Important: IndiGo warned it still has a “long way to go” before passengers fully trust its timetable again and that several more days of consistent performance would be needed to restore confidence.

Government intervention and fare controls

The Ministry of Civil Aviation intervened during the week to impose strict fare caps on airlines, including IndiGo, to prevent opportunistic price spikes on remaining seats while thousands sought alternatives.

Officials said the caps would remain in place until operations across the network had clearly stabilised. The ministry — which sets broad policy for air travel and publishes passenger rules on its website at civilaviation.gov.in — said the caps aim to protect consumers from sharp fare rises at a time of high anxiety and confusion.

Industry view and analysis

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, IndiGo’s approach — cancelling hundreds of flights in a short window to rebuild schedules and crew rosters — is unusual. Airlines commonly avoid wide, planned cuts and instead trim services on individual routes when problems appear.

• Industry sources say IndiGo had little choice after days of rolling delays and short‑notice cancellations spiralled into what one rival airline operations manager described privately as a “full network reboot.”
• The carrier needed to pull back, re‑plan aircraft and staff, then slowly push capacity out again.

The crisis reportedly began when technical and staffing problems combined to knock out a large share of the schedule, filling departure boards with cancelled notices and triggering a wave of passenger complaints.

Operational response and communication improvements

IndiGo said it is working closely with airports and ground‑handling partners to improve communication and service recovery efforts:

• More frequent updates on terminal screens.
• Faster website updates and direct notifications to customers’ phones.
• Adding extra sectors where possible to meet demand.

Even with more than 95% network connectivity restored and service to 135 of its 138 destinations, the company acknowledged that passenger trust needs to be rebuilt and that consistent performance over several days is required.

Wider implications for India’s aviation sector

Aviation analysts say aiming for more than 1,500 flights less than 48 hours after halving its programme highlights both the depth of IndiGo’s network and the pressure it faces in a market where many travellers see the carrier as the default choice for domestic and short regional trips.

For the government, the episode raises questions about:

• The resilience of India’s rapidly growing aviation sector to shocks.
• Whether regulators such as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation need more tools or stricter rules to prevent similar breakdowns.
• Potential need for clearer standards on advance notice, automatic refunds and passenger support during major disruptions.

Passenger‑rights advocates point to rules in other countries that require airlines to provide hotel rooms, meals and alternate transport during major disruptions, arguing that clearer, legally backed promises in India would reduce confusion and financial hardship.

Practical advice for travellers

IndiGo urged customers to:

• Check flight status before leaving for the airport.
• Use digital tools (website and app) for rebooking rather than standing in person, since online options can move faster when systems are strained.

Note: Many passengers affected this week still prefer to speak to staff face to face, despite the airline’s recommendation.

How recovery will be judged

Whether IndiGo’s push back toward a full timetable holds will become clearer over the next few days as Saturday’s promised 1,500+ flights operate and crew rosters are tested.

For thousands of customers whose plans were upended, the real measure of recovery will be simple:

1. Do flights depart roughly on time?
2. Are seats available when needed?
3. Do refunds arrive promptly without new battles for cash‑strapped families?

Final takeaway: Restoring network connectivity is a major step, but sustained punctuality, available inventory and reliable refunds will determine whether travellers regain confidence in IndiGo’s services.