IndiGo Chaos Escalates: 73 Flights Axed at Bengaluru Airport on Dec 4

Disruption Overview

Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) faced severe IndiGo disruptions for the third straight day, with 73 flights scrapped on Dec 4 due to cascading operational challenges. The low-cost carrier, India's largest, cited a mix of minor tech issues, winter schedule shifts, weather, congestion, and stricter Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) implemented in November as culprits. Passengers reported chaos, protests, and long waits, with IndiGo offering refunds or rebookings while adjusting schedules for 48 hours to stabilize.​

Key Highlights

Scale at BLR: 73 cancellations (41 arrivals, 32 departures), up from 62 on Dec 3 and 20 on Dec 2; routes hit include Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Goa, Chennai.​

Network Impact: Over 150 IndiGo flights axed nationwide on Dec 3 (Delhi:67, Hyderabad:40, Mumbai:33), plus baggage glitches at Delhi T1/T3.​

Root Causes: Crew rostering crunch post-FDTL norms, tech/operational snarls, weather/congestion; DGCA probing airline response.​

Passenger Relief: Alternate flights/refunds promised; check status before travel as disruptions persist through Dec 5.​

Sources: Reuters (RTRS), Moneycontrol, Hindustan Times, Deccan Herald