Why Did Over 5,700 Flights Get Cancelled in H1 2025?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
In the first half of 2025, Indian airlines cancelled over 5,700 flights due to regulatory and geopolitical issues. Despite this, passenger numbers grew by 7.34%. What are the implications of these cancellations and the promising growth in domestic air travel?
Key Takeaways
- 5,706 flights cancelled in H1 2025 due to regulatory and geopolitical issues.
- Representing about 1 percent of total departures.
- IndiGo had the highest cancellations with 3,274 flights.
- Passenger numbers grew by 7.34 percent despite cancellations.
- Air India launched 24 new international routes since July 2023.
New Delhi, Aug 18 (NationPress) Indian airlines saw a staggering 5,706 flights cancelled between January and June 2025 due to various regulatory and geopolitical challenges, as revealed in a report presented to Parliament on Monday.
The cancellations represented about 1 percent of the total 5,72,079 departures during this timeframe, according to Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, in a written statement to the Rajya Sabha.
The statistics included six carriers: Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo, Akasa Air, SpiceJet, and Alliance Air.
Particularly, the Air India Group, which encompasses Air India Express, had to cancel 1,468 flights from a total of 1,61,204 departures.
Akasa Air cancelled 64 flights during the first half of 2025, while IndiGo faced 3,274 cancellations in the same timeframe.
SpiceJet saw 401 flights cancelled, and Alliance Air reported 499 cancellations in this period.
Mohol pointed out that airlines bear additional costs for delayed or cancelled flights, which include fuel charges, crew overtime, maintenance, airport fees, and rebooking expenses.
Moreover, airlines are obligated to refund or compensate passengers affected by such cancellations.
Despite these cancellations, the domestic air travel sector experienced growth. The number of passengers transported by Indian airlines increased by 7.34 percent in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year, the minister highlighted.
"Additionally, airlines must ensure refunds or compensation for cancellations or significant delays. The number of passengers transported by domestic carriers during January to June 2025 showed a growth of 7.34 percent compared to the previous year," he stated.
In a different update, Mohol mentioned that Air India had introduced 24 new international routes since July 2023; however, four of these routes were later suspended for commercial reasons.
Among these, the Goa-London Gatwick service, which was temporarily suspended, is anticipated to resume in the Winter 2025 schedule.
Point of View
It's crucial to recognize that while the cancellations of over 5,700 flights pose significant challenges, the growth in passenger numbers reflects resilience in the aviation sector. The focus should remain on improving operational efficiency and addressing the underlying causes of these disruptions to ensure trust and reliability in air travel.
NationPress
19/08/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the flight cancellations in H1 2025?
The cancellations were primarily due to regulatory and geopolitical issues affecting the operations of Indian airlines.
How many flights were cancelled?
A total of 5,706 flights were cancelled between January and June 2025.
Which airlines were affected?
The cancellations involved six major carriers: Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo, Akasa Air, SpiceJet, and Alliance Air.
Did passenger numbers increase despite cancellations?
Yes, domestic air travel saw a growth of 7.34 percent in passenger numbers during the same period.
Will Air India resume its international routes?
Yes, Air India plans to resume the Goa-London Gatwick service in the Winter 2025 schedule after temporary suspension.
