A week after IndiGo’s unprecedented operational meltdown, the airline’s CEO Peter Elbers has issued a public apology, acknowledging the massive disruption that crippled India’s aviation network. Even as IndiGo claims it has “normalised” operations, the scale of the crisis remains stark—423 flights were cancelled yesterday alone, adding to the thousands already grounded over the past week.
A Crisis That Brought Airports to a Standstill
The operational chaos began with IndiGo’s failure to manage pilot rosters under newly enforced duty-time regulations. As cancellations surged, scenes of frustration and confusion unfolded across major airports. At Ranchi’s Birsa Munda Airport, passengers watched helplessly as IndiGo aircraft remained grounded while departure boards displayed wave after wave of cancellations and delays.
IndiGo, which controls over 60% of India’s domestic aviation market, struggled to recover as the roster collapse triggered a widespread ripple effect on aircraft rotations, crew availability, and ground operations.
IndiGo CEO Offers Public Apology
In a video message, CEO Peter Elbers apologised for the “inconvenience and stress” caused to passengers, calling the crisis “one of the toughest periods” in the airline’s history. He said operations have now stabilised but admitted that IndiGo must “do better” and strengthen its internal systems to prevent similar breakdowns.
Elbers also praised IndiGo staff for working extended hours to recover operations, though passengers continued to report long queues, delayed refunds, and communication gaps.
Government Turns Up the Heat
The Aviation Ministry has taken the crisis seriously, summoning IndiGo’s leadership and demanding detailed explanations for the roster failure. Regulators have asked the airline to:
- Submit a full operational recovery plan
- Improve real-time passenger communication
- Strengthen duty-time compliance
- Enhance crisis-management protocols
The DGCA is probing whether IndiGo violated staffing or rest-hour mandates prior to the meltdown.
Passengers Still Dealing With the Aftermath
Despite IndiGo’s claims of “normalcy”, many passengers continue to face delays, rebooking struggles, and unresolved refund requests. Aviation experts warn the crisis exposes deeper vulnerabilities in India’s largest airline—rapid expansion without proportional increases in pilot strength, operational buffers, or crisis-handling capacity.
Given IndiGo’s commanding market presence, 423 cancellations in a single day highlight how a single airline’s disruption can shake the entire country’s aviation ecosystem.
