104 IndiGo flights cancelled in Mumbai today, disruptions enter third day
According to officials, the revised Flight Duty Time Limitation norms disrupted IndiGo’s rostering and created a shortage of crew, triggering a cascading effect across Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai.
Passengers wait at a ticketing counter of Indigo airlines as the company cancelled over 150 flights and saw numerous delays on Wednesday, at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport terminal 01 in Mumbai on December 4, 2025.
(Express photo by Sankhadeep Banerjee)
IndiGo’s operations at Mumbai airport remained severely affected on Friday, with 104 flights cancelled, airport sources told The Indian Express. This includes 53 departures and 51 arrivals, marking the third straight day of large-scale disruptions for the airline.
The cancellations have risen sharply compared to earlier in the week. On Wednesday, IndiGo cancelled 55 flights in total, 29 arrivals and 26 departures due to mounting crew shortages and network-wide schedule strain. The situation worsened on Thursday, with airport officials estimating 100 to 118 cancellations through the day as the airline struggled to stabilise rotations under the revised Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms.
On Friday, passengers at Terminal 1 reported repeated last-minute cancellations, long queues at check-in and customer service counters, and limited options for same-day rebooking. Several travellers said their flights were withdrawn just hours before departure, leaving them with no clarity on onward journeys.
According to officials, the updated FDTL rules, which limit duty hours for pilots and cabin crew, have disrupted IndiGo’s rostering and created a shortage of deployable crew across key sectors. This has led to a cascading effect on aircraft schedules, particularly on high-density routes such as Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai.
IndiGo has apologised for the inconvenience and said it is offering full refunds or free rebooking for affected passengers. However, with rotations still uneven, officials expect delays and cancellations to continue through the day.
Further updates on cancellations are expected as the situation develops.
After Thursday’s cancellations, the airline briefed the Directorate General of Civil Aviation about its plan to fully restore flight operations, informing that it will reduce flights from December 8 and expects to fully restore stable flight operations by February 10, 2026. The airline’s statement came on a day the civil aviation ministry and DGCA held a review meeting on the matter, and Indigo CEO Pieter Elbers told staff that the airline had failed to “live up to the promise”.
Naresh S is a Trainee Correspondent with The Indian Express, based out of Mumbai. A graduate of Xavier’s Institute of Communication (XIC), he has an avid interest in civic issues and policy-related domains. At present, he reports on the transport sector, covering suburban railways, BEST bus serives and aviation with a propensity for in-depth analyses and researched-focused reportage.
Core Coverage Areas:
Naresh reports on Mumbai’s urban mobility and public systems, with a focus on transport infrastructure, commuter safety, and policy execution. His reporting is research-driven and data-backed, aimed at explaining how large public systems function or fail, for everyday commuters.
Transport (Primary Beat):
His main beat is transport, covering Mumbai’s suburban railways and BEST bus services. His reportage in this domain spans detailed coverage of events like the Mumbra train accident and its safety implications, as well as follow-up reporting on long-standing gaps such as the delayed implementation of automatic doors on Mumbai local trains. He also tracks infrastructure projects, operational disruptions, and policy decisions affecting daily commuters, often through explainer-style stories.
Aviation (Secondary Beat):
Naresh also covers aviation and airport infrastructure, including reporting on the Navi Mumbai International Airport project. His aviation coverage has included the IndiGo flight disruptions in December 2025, focusing on passenger impact, regulatory response, and systemic issues within civil aviation operations. ... Read More
