IndiGo Flight Crisis Explained: Why 1,300+ Flights Were Cancelled and What Passengers Need to Know

Auto-detected category: Travel & Consumer Rights

SEO title: IndiGo Flight Crisis: 1,300+ Cancellations Explained and Passenger Remedies

Meta title: IndiGo Flight Crisis: Why Flights Were Cancelled and Your Rights

Meta description: A clear explainer of the IndiGo cancellations, causes, timelines, passenger rights (refunds/compensation/alternate flights), and actionable steps to protect your trip.

OG title & description: IndiGo Flight Crisis — Causes, Timeline, and How Passengers Can Claim Refunds, Compensation, or Rebooking.

Keyword strategy

Primary: IndiGo flight cancellations 2025, IndiGo crisis explained
Long-tail: why Indigo cancelled flights today, IndiGo refund process mass cancellations, DGCA passenger rights IndiGo disruption, alternate flight options IndiGo cancelled, how to claim compensation IndiGo
LSI: crew rostering failure, DGCA CAR Section 3 Air Transport, refund timelines, meals/accommodation, EU261 comparison, on-the-spot rebooking
Question: why were IndiGo flights cancelled, will I get refund from IndiGo, what does DGCA mandate for cancellations, can I demand hotel/meals, what alternate airlines must do
Geo: India metro hubs (DEL, BOM, BLR, HYD, MAA), international connectors (DXB, SIN)

User intent analysis

Audience: Affected passengers and those with upcoming bookings.
Intent: Understand the cause, expected recovery timeline, and what concrete remedies (refunds, rebooking, compensation, meals/hotels) they are entitled to under DGCA rules.

What Happened

IndiGo cancelled ~1,300+ flights over <insert date range>. Primary drivers reported: crew scheduling/rostering shock, cascading delays, and capacity shortfall after a sudden constraint.
Effect: High same-day cancellations and significant delays, especially from major hubs (DEL/BOM/BLR/HYD/MAA) and some international feeders.

Passenger Rights Under DGCA CAR (India)

Advance notice ≥24h: Option of full refund or alternate flight at no extra cost.
<24h notice (cancellation/over 2-hr delay): Free rebooking or full refund; meals/refreshments while waiting.
>24h to <72h delay: Free rebooking/refund; meals if stranded; accommodation if overnight per airline policy (ask explicitly).
No-shows due to airline-initiated change: Should not forfeit fare; insist on waiver.

Immediate Actions (Checklist)

Check PNR status in app/SMS/email; screenshot evidence.
If cancelled: choose refund or alternate flight in-app/web; avoid call-center queues if possible.
If rebooked but delayed >2h: request meal vouchers; >6h or overnight: request hotel/transport (document refusals).
If urgent travel: consider self-booking another carrier; keep invoices to claim difference (approval not guaranteed—ask airline first).
Keep boarding pass/PNR, receipts, and screenshots for any claim.

Refunds and Compensation

Full refund: Allowed for airline-initiated cancellations; should post within 7 working days (cards) / 3 working days (cash). Track and escalate if delayed.
Fare difference coverage: If airline offers alternate flight at higher fare, DGCA expects no extra cost to passenger.
Compensation: India does not have EU261-style cash compensation; leverage DGCA CAR for meals/hotel/refund and documented complaints for goodwill.

Escalation Path

Level 1: Airline support (app/web chat is fastest), then call center.
Level 2: DGCA AirSewa/CPGRAMS complaint with PNR, dates, screenshots, and receipts.
Level 3: Credit card dispute if refund not processed; include cancellation proof.

Sample complaint (concise): “PNR <XXXX>, flight <no> on <date> cancelled by airline. Request full refund to original mode. Attached: cancellation screenshot, payment proof. Please confirm TAT and processing reference.”

If You Must Travel Today

Search same/next-day options on other carriers; book only after airline confirms inability to reroute.
At airport: go to rebooking desk; ask for protection on partner/interline if available (limited for LCCs, but ask).
For intl. connectors: insist on reroute to preserve onward legs; document all interactions.

Preventive Tips for Upcoming Travel

Monitor PNR daily until departure; set app alerts.
Prefer morning departures (lower cascade risk).
Keep buffer for intl. connections; avoid tight layovers during disruptions.
Carry printed DGCA CAR snippet to assert meal/refund rights politely.

FAQ (Schema-ready Q&A)

Q1. What are my rights if IndiGo cancels my flight?
Free refund or alternate flight; meals for long delays; hotel/transport if stranded overnight per policy.

Q2. Can IndiGo charge fare difference on rebooking?
For airline-initiated changes, DGCA expects no extra cost to passengers.

Q3. How do I get my refund?
Select refund in app/web or via support; expect processing in 3–7 working days.

Q4. What if refund is delayed?
Escalate with PNR and payment proof to airline, then AirSewa/CPGRAMS; consider card dispute as last resort.

Q5. Will I get cash compensation?
India lacks EU-style cash compensation; focus on refund, rebooking, and documented expenses.

Conclusion (Non-promotional CTA)

Document everything: PNR, screenshots, receipts. Choose refund or reroute quickly, assert your DGCA rights, and escalate with evidence if the airline stalls.

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