Govt's big order to IndiGo on baggage separated from passengers amid cancellations, delays - check details

In a big crackdown amid ongoing chaos, the Ministry of Civil Aviation on Saturday directed IndiGo to ensure that all baggage that was separated from passengers due to flight cancellations or delays must be traced and delivered to the passenger's residential or chosen address within the next 48 hours.

The Ministry has also instructed airlines to maintain transparent communication with passengers about baggage tracking and delivery timelines, and to offer appropriate compensation wherever applicable under existing passenger rights regulations.

IndiGo operations across India remained severely disrupted for the fifth straight day on Saturday, 6 December, with more than 400 flights cancelled across four major airports. This widespread chaos has left thousands of passengers stranded and increasingly frustrated.

What caused this severe crisis?

IndiGo’s mass cancellations and delays stem from an acute pilot shortage. New Flight Duty Time limitations (FDTL) rules raised weekly rest to 48 hours, extended night limits and cut night landings to two.

However, just a day ago, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) withdrew the 'weekly rest' requirement for crew, post which more pilots are expected to return to duty.

The civil aviation regulator said that it is rolling back this order due to ‘operational disruptions’ and communications received from a number of airlines regarding the same.

Current status of the IndiGo disruption

The crisis has severely hit Delhi Airport, as it witnessed one of the highest numbers of flight cancellations. Authorities have confirmed that at least 106 flights, including 54 departures and 52 arrivals, had been cancelled by Saturday morning, according to ANI.

IndiGo’s 9:00 am operations update indicated 109 cancellations across India, comprising 58 departures and 51 arrivals.

At Hyderabad Airport, IndiGo had cancelled 69 scheduled flights for the day, including 43 outbound and 26 inbound flights, which in turn significantly impacted operations, authorities stated.

The disruptions were also severe in the Northeast region. At Guwahati’s Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, crowds of frustrated passengers could be seen waiting for hours after several flights were suddenly grounded.

The situation took a heated turn at Mumbai Airport as IndiGo passengers got into a fight with airline staff at the ticket counter, protesting against the nationwide cancellations and demanding updates.

Will IndiGo passengers receive any refund for the cancellations?

All IndiGo passengers whose flights have been cancelled or disrupted must be appropriately compensated by 8:00 PM on Sunday, 7 December 2025, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said on Saturday.

The Ministry has also instructed airlines not to charge any rescheduling fee for passengers whose travel plans were affected by cancellations, along with issuing a warning that any delay or non-compliance in refund processing will attract regulatory action, as per the official statement.