Since Friday, the queue of passengers waiting for bags from flights that never took off has only been increasing, as sudden cancellations created a backlog in the baggage-handling system. (Express photo by Sankhadeep Banerjee)
IndiGo’s network-wide disruption entered its fourth day on Saturday, with Mumbai Airport continuing to witness significant operational strain.
According to airport sources who shared real-time data with The Indian Express, 104 flights were initially affected on Saturday, but as the day progressed, the number of flights hit by delays and cancellations rose to 118, which included 54 arrivals and 64 departures.
There has been a steady increase in the number of flights that have cancelled this week. On Tuesday, 29 arrival and 26 departure flights were cancelled. On Wednesday, the number rose sharply to 85 cancellations. Thursday saw the highest strain, with sources estimating 100 to 118 flights disrupted over the day. Friday’s tally of 104 flights added another day of turbulence.
Against this backdrop, IndiGo released an official statement on Saturday aimed at calming rising passenger frustration. “IndiGo is working determinedly to bring its operations back on track across the network. Our teams are focused on stabilising schedules, reducing delays, and supporting customers through this period. Today the number of cancellations has dropped below 850 flights, much lower compared to yesterday. We’re continuing to work towards reducing this number progressively over the next few days,” said the statement.
Baggage backlogs
Since Friday, the queue of passengers waiting for bags from flights that never took off has only been increasing, as sudden cancellations created a backlog in the baggage-handling system. This problem continued on Saturday as multiple passengers were seen standing frustrated at the IndiGo booth at Terminal 1.
Rahul Mehta, who was supposed to travel from Mumbai to Delhi on Saturday, said his flight was cancelled after he completed check-in and security. “I checked in, dropped my bag and reached the gate. That’s when they suddenly announced the cancellation,” he said. “Since morning, there has been no clear update on when we’ll get our luggage back. There are easily hundreds of us waiting. People have connecting flights, but nobody knows where the bags are.”
Refund deductions
Several passengers complained about not receiving full refunds, despite cancellations originating from the airline’s end. Shruti Iyer, who was travelling to Chennai, said she was surprised to see multiple deductions. “They’ve cut money saying it’s tax or service charges,” she said. “But the cancellation was from their side. Why should passengers lose anything? I’ve been trying to get clarity since morning but no one is giving a straight answer.”
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Alternative conveyance: Trains
With delays and uncertainty piling up, some passengers abandoned flying altogether. “My Bengaluru flight was delayed three times,” said Vivek Ramanan. “I got tired of waiting and booked an overnight train. At least I know it’ll depart. Right now flying feels like a gamble,” he said.
Airport officials said the number of impacted flights could rise, depending on evening operations. The spillover from earlier disruptions, they said, continues to affect crew availability and aircraft turnaround.
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
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