IndiGo flight cancellations have left passengers stranded and struggling to make last-minute bookings with other airlines, triggering a sharp spike in demand for air tickets as fares soared multifold.
Delhi–Mumbai Fares Skyrocket
Due to the sudden rush, one-way economy tickets between Delhi and Mumbai have shot up to around Rs 38,000 - Rs 48,000, while round-trip fares on the same route have crossed Rs 60,000 in the economy category.
All Delhi Departures Cancelled
This comes after IndiGo cancelled all domestic flights from Delhi Airport till midnight, a major chunk of the 523 cancellations recorded so far today.
No Flights to Key Cities
There are no flights operating today between Delhi and cities like Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Jaipur, and Lucknow. Anyone planning to fly to Bengaluru or Hyderabad tomorrow will have to pay over Rs 48,000 for an economy seat, a route that usually costs less than Rs 7,000.
Delhi–Kolkata Fares Hit Record High
A Delhi–Kolkata ticket costs nearly Rs 32,000 today, and fares for tomorrow have shot up to over Rs 85,000. At these prices, flying to London could be cheaper than flying to Kolkata. Normally, Delhi–Kolkata tickets are around Rs 25,000, and international flights haven’t been affected by the crisis.
Four Days of Disruptions Across Major Airports
IndiGo, India’s biggest airline, is facing major disruptions, with hundreds of flights cancelled over the last four days at major airports like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. On December 5, the fourth day of the crisis, more than 400 flights were cancelled, leaving thousands of passengers stranded and frustrated both online and at airports.
IndiGo said minor glitches in its crew scheduling software snowballed after the new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules kicked in.
