After several days of disruptions and cancellations, IndiGo reported that 95% of its network connectivity was restored on Saturday, as flight issues entered their fifth consecutive day. The airline, India’s largest, said it aimed to operate over 1,500 flights by the end of the day in an effort to return to normal operations. On Saturday, fewer than 850 flights were cancelled, an improvement from Friday, which saw nearly 1,000 cancellations, the airline’s most troubled day. IndiGo added that its staff are focusing on stabilizing schedules, reducing delays, and assisting passengers during this period.
Will today’s flight problems persist?
IndiGo stated that it is making a concerted effort to resume network-wide operations. The airline said that in the upcoming days, flight operations might get even better. According to Hindustan Times, “Today the number of cancellations has dropped below 850 flights, much lower compared to yesterday. We’re continuing to work towards reducing this number progressively over the next few days, in a statement.
IndiGo flight operations improving
The airline gave more details about the number of flights it ran on Friday and Saturday as well as how it is enhancing connectivity in a follow-up statement. It said that on Friday, it operated just slightly more than 700 flights, connecting 113 of the 138 cities it now operates to, while canceling a “significant number of flights.” However, things improved on Saturday, and the airline is on track to fly more than 1,500 flights by the end of the day.
“With regards to destinations, over 95% of network connectivity has already been re-established as we are able to operate to 135 out of the existing 138 destinations in operations,” it said in a statement. “We apologise once again,” it further said.
Airfares capped amid IndiGo disruptions
On Saturday, Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said the ministry has noticed a “sharp rise in ticket prices due to IndiGo flight disruptions” and instructed all airlines to strictly follow fare limits.
According to an order issued on Friday, airlines cannot charge more than the maximum fares set for different distances. The limits are: Rs 7,500 for flights up to 500 km, Rs 12,000 for 500–1,000 km, Rs 15,000 for 1,000–1,500 km, and Rs 18,000 for routes over 1,500 km. These caps do not include additional charges like UDF (user development fee), PSF (passenger service fee), and taxes, and they do not apply to Business Class or RCS-UDAN flights.
