After days of widespread cancellations and delays, IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers announced on Sunday that the airline is progressively returning to regular operations, saying that “step by step, we are going back.”
IndiGo Battles Major Disruptions
The biggest airline in India, which normally runs over 2,300 flights per day, has had major interruptions recently, impacting thousands of passengers. The airline operated over 1,500 flights on Saturday, a significant increase from just over 700 flights on Friday.
Elbers stated that IndiGo is aiming for an On Time Performance (OTP) of 75% on Sunday in an internal video message captured at the airline’s operational control center. “Today, we have realized more system enhancements in order to reach roughly 1,650 flights,” he informed staff.
In order to prevent needless travel to airports, he continued, the airline has begun proactively alerting passengers of cancellations. He stated, “We have been able to execute the cancellations at an earlier stage so that the passengers do not show up at the airport in case their flights are cancelled.”
Indigo Flight Operations Rapidly Improving
Additionally, IndiGo said that as of December 7, 137 of its 138 destinations were still functioning.
Out of its regular 2,300 daily domestic and international flights, IndiGo operated 1,650 on Sunday. Approximately 650 flights were cancelled as the airline worked to resume operations after five days of significant interruptions, according to the airline.
The airline also stated that, in contrast to its initial forecast of December 10–15, it now anticipates that its network would stabilize by December 10.
IndiGo’s on-time performance across six metro airports increased to 20.7% on Saturday, according to data on the Civil Aviation Ministry website. Additionally, the airline boosted its operational capacity that day, operating around 1,500 flights as opposed to about 800 cancellations.
Flight Regulations Temporarily Relaxed
Thousands of travelers nationwide have been impacted by the numerous cancellations and delays caused by the recent disruptions.
“IndiGo affirms that we are building further significant and sustainable improvements across our network in the wake of the recent operational setbacks. An IndiGo representative stated in a statement, “We are on pace to run around 1,650 flights on Sunday, up from about 1,500 flights on Friday.”
Due to a staff shortage brought on by the implementation of the second phase of the court-mandated increased flight duty and rest time regulations, about 1,600 flights were canceled on Friday, making it the airline’s worst operating day. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has now loosened the regulations for IndiGo, even though they still apply to all domestic carriers.
Indigo Airline Urges Status Checks
According to the spokeswoman, the airline is improving customer assistance systems and reinstating flight schedules in “quite important” ways.
Additionally, IndiGo stated that its personnel are always striving to stabilize operations and that cancellations were started earlier to guarantee prompt contact with passengers. Both direct and indirect booking refund and baggage procedures are in progress.
“We continue to work closely with all authorities and stakeholders to achieve a speedy return to complete normality,” the airline said, advising travelers to check their most recent flight status on its website before arriving at the airport.
