According to airport officials, the cancelled services included the 12:00 pm Delhi–Indore flight and its 12:30 pm return leg, along with the 9:40 pm Chennai–Indore flight and the 10:10 pm Indore–Chennai service. The cancellations were announced on the day of travel, forcing passengers with confirmed bookings to abruptly alter plans.
IndiGo attributed the disruption to “operational reasons,” a term repeatedly cited since early December. Industry sources, however, point to an ongoing crew shortage compounded by scheduling challenges. The issue has persisted despite the government extending compliance timelines for revised flight duty and timing regulations until February, offering airlines operational flexibility.
Passengers complained of inadequate communication and last-minute alerts. Many said they were informed only hours before departure, leaving little scope for alternative arrangements. “Rebooking options were either unavailable or involved long layovers through other cities,” said a Chennai-bound passenger.
The impact was particularly severe for travellers to Chennai, as Indore has only one direct daily flight on that route. Unlike Delhi, which has multiple connections, Chennai-bound passengers were compelled to delay travel or reroute via Mumbai or Bengaluru, resulting in higher costs and extended journey times.
IndiGo said affected passengers were offered refunds, rescheduling, or re-accommodation on other flights, subject to seat availability. However, frequent flyers and business travellers argued that repeated cancellations have eroded confidence and disrupted professional commitments.
Aviation experts warn that continued instability could weaken Indore’s air connectivity, especially on long-haul routes. Passengers are urging the airline to improve planning, provide advance information, and stabilise operations to prevent recurring last-minute cancellations.
