IndiGo’s Flight Cancellations at Bengaluru Airport Fall Sharply, Marking First Sub-100 Day in Seven

Bengaluru: In a welcome respite for harried travelers, IndiGo Airlines has recorded fewer than 100 flight cancellations at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) for the first time in a week, signaling an easing of the disruptions that have plagued the airline’s operations nationwide.

The carrier, India’s largest by market share, has been grappling with widespread cancellations since early December, triggered by a confluence of fog-shrouded runways, maintenance backlogs, and a shortage of crew amid the peak winter travel season. At KIA, the busiest hub in the south, the tally of scrapped departures peaked at over 150 on several days last week, stranding thousands and fueling complaints to aviation authorities.

On Monday, however, the numbers dipped dramatically to 92 cancellations by evening, according to data from the Airports Authority of India (AAI). This decline follows IndiGo’s aggressive response, including the deployment of additional ground staff and the rerouting of aircraft from less affected bases. “We’ve prioritized high-traffic routes like Bengaluru-Delhi and Bengaluru-Mumbai, minimizing the ripple effects,” a spokesperson for the airline told Deccan Herald, emphasizing round-the-clock coordination with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

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The backlog in baggage delivery persists as a sore point. As of 7 p.m. on December 9, IndiGo had successfully reunited 8,500 pieces of luggage with their owners across the country. Yet, a portion remains in limbo, held up by inaccurate passenger addresses or logistical snags at sorting facilities. The DGCA has directed the airline to expedite resolutions, with helplines overwhelmed by queries from affected flyers.

Industry watchers attribute the downturn to improving weather patterns and proactive scheduling tweaks, but caution that sustained fog in northern India could reignite issues. For now, KIA passengers are advised to check the IndiGo app for real-time updates, as the airline pledges to restore normalcy within 48 hours.

This episode underscores the vulnerabilities in India’s aviation sector, where a single airline’s hiccups can cascade into national headaches. As IndiGo works to clear the decks—literally and figuratively—travelers at KIA can breathe a little easier, though the full recovery remains a work in progress.