‘Waiting for take-off since morning…no food, no water and no basic support’: Stranded passengers struggle as over 100 IndiGo flights cancelled in Mumbai
The cascading operational collapse left passengers stranded for hours, some overnight, with many learning about cancellations only after reaching the terminal.
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 in Mumbai remained in disarray for the third consecutive day on Thursday, with 100 to 110 flights cancelled, leaving passengers stranded, leading to unruly scenes at the airport. Sources said the airline’s schedule has been severely hit throughout the day as crew shortage continued to affect operations. IndiGo declined to share cancellation figures and did not comment on the situation despite repeated requests.
The cascading operational collapse left passengers stranded for hours, some overnight, with many learning about cancellations only after reaching the terminal. Several passengers told The Indian Express they received updates long after the airline’s internal status had changed, forcing them to shuttle between counters, rebook repeatedly and spend their own money on food, water and accommodation.
“I’ve been here since early morning, waiting for my flight to Lucknow. It was supposed to take off this morning, but now they’ve pushed it to tomorrow,” said Tanu Singh, who had been waiting at Terminal 1. “There’s been no food, no water and no accommodation from IndiGo. We’re just sitting here with no basic support.”
At Terminal 1, Mohamed Kadhim, scheduled to travel to Kuwait, said he and another passenger received cancellation information only at the last moment. “They asked us to take a connecting flight through Delhi or Kolkata, and even our refund will not come immediately. They said it will take 7 to 16 days,” he said. “There are no proper answers, no food, no water, not even a place to sit. We are just stranded here with hundreds of others.”
The knock-on delays also affected passengers already rerouted due to earlier cancellations. Yashpal Singh, travelling from Ahmedabad to Chennai, was moved to a Mumbai connection after his original flight was withdrawn. “There is no water, no basic amenities and no waiting room. When we asked for help, the IndiGo staff told us to use the airport facilities by paying from our own pocket,” he said. “I was told my next flight would leave at 5.35 pm, but when I reached security with my boarding pass, they said the flight had already left at 4 pm,” he said.
Some passengers travelling in groups said the delays caused significant additional expenses, including hotel costs, local transport and lost bookings.
Ram Avatari, travelling from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar with three others, said their pilgrimage trip was completely disrupted. “Our Ahmedabad flight left at 5 am instead of 11.55 pm. Then our morning flight to Sambhajinagar was cancelled. We waited the whole day for the 7.35 pm service, but even that was cancelled. We spent on a hotel, we spent on travel, and now the refund will take seven days,” he said. “If they cannot manage things, they should shut their flights,” he said.
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Others said even refunds or basic clarification were difficult to access. Dhananjay Munde, whose flight was cancelled an hour before departure, said the airline’s website did not accept his PNR when he attempted to apply for a refund. “Even the flight number printed on our ticket did not match with the flight number displayed here,” he said. “We do not know where to complain or what to do,” he added.
A cabin crew member, who requested anonymity as staff were not authorised to speak, said employees were “under sustained pressure” as rosters were stretched throughout the day. “We are trying our best. We know passengers are frustrated, but we cannot satisfy everyone at once,” the crew member said, adding that staffing gaps were contributing to the ongoing “bottleneck” in operations.
According to sources, the disruption began on Tuesday, when 29 arrivals and 26 departures were cancelled in Mumbai. The impact deepened Thursday as the network continued to absorb delays linked to a nationwide shortage of available crew.
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
