New Delhi, Dec 6 (NationPress) Air travellers on IndiGo are experiencing significant disruptions on Saturday, as the cancellation and delay of all domestic flights departing from Delhi has now extended into the fifth day. This chaotic situation has impacted tens of thousands of passengers, leaving many grappling with prolonged uncertainty, rising costs, and insufficient communication.

IANS spoke with numerous passengers at Delhi Airport who recounted the challenges they have faced.

One traveller shared, “I had plans in Agartala. I was meant to fly yesterday, but my flight was cancelled, so I booked a new ticket for today. Everything was in place, and at the entry point, CISF personnel informed me that the flight would proceed. However, upon reaching the check-in desk, I was told that my flight had been cancelled again. They mentioned I would not receive any ticket until December 8. I requested at least a refund for the amount I had paid.”

Another passenger described a more distressing ordeal. “I have been stuck at the airport for four days. They keep pushing my flight back. When I first arrived to check my luggage, I discovered my flight was cancelled without any prior notice or email. It was rescheduled for the next day, which was also cancelled. Then they moved it to this morning, and that too was cancelled. I am a neuro patient. I felt faint and collapsed here. They admitted me to Medanta. The staff informed me yesterday that I would receive a refund due to the flight cancellation, but this morning they called and asked me to board the flight instead. There is no clarity on a solution or refund.”

On Friday, IndiGo issued an apology for the widespread disruptions, assuring passengers that refunds would be processed for all cancelled flights.

The turmoil has been largely attributed to a sudden pilot shortage, reportedly due to planning oversights. Aviation authorities are closely monitoring the situation as the airline struggles to stabilize its operations. IndiGo, which operates around 2,300 flights daily with a fleet of over 400 aircraft, has seen a sharp decline in its punctuality amid the ongoing operational crisis — a situation that is expected to take several more days to rectify.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has established a high-level, four-member committee to conduct a thorough review of the events leading to the disruptions and assess the airline’s operational readiness.

Meanwhile, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu stated on Saturday that the government's immediate priority is to restore normalcy and provide comprehensive support to the affected passengers.

“...We have formed a committee that will investigate all of this to determine where things went awry and who is responsible. We will take the necessary actions based on their findings,” Naidu added.