IndiGo finally entered the new week on a steadier footing after days of unprecedented cancellations and four-digit delays, restoring most of its network on Monday even as passengers continued to grapple with a mounting baggage crisis that has outlasted the flight disruptions.
Fewer cancellations
By 7 pm Monday, the airline had cancelled 50 arrivals and 48 departures from Mumbai, a sharp improvement from last week’s disruptions. An IndiGo crew member, requesting anonymity, told mid-day, “Today has been less hectic than last week. Since the airline has restored about 91 per cent of connectivity, we are now dealing more with baggage delivery issues than cancellations.”
An IndiGo spokesperson said, “Today, we are set to operate more than 1800 flights, connecting all stations. We have optimised our operations and reduced cancellations, which are being communicated in advance. Our on-time performance has improved to 91 per cent across the network.”
Baggage delays pile up
While many passengers initially believed baggage issues would stabilise, problems escalated from December 6. Several flyers said they had still not received their checked-in bags despite being assured delivery within 24 to 48 hours. Karina Ostwal, who flew from Mumbai to Bengaluru on December 5 after a 14-hour delay, said she is yet to receive her luggage.
“It has been more than 48 hours, and I still have no update. I was given two contact numbers by the IndiGo staff, but no one is answering calls,” she said. Her engagement, already postponed once due to the delay, has been pushed further since her outfits and essential items are still missing.
Another passenger, Shubham Mehta, has also been struggling. A relative told mid-day, “The staff told us the bags would arrive in 24 hours. Now they are not willing to commit to any date. We have come to the Mumbai airport for two days straight, and no one has any answers.”
Shradha Shinde, in Pune, who was waiting for her daughter’s arrival, said, “My daughter missed her flight from Delhi to Pune due to the IndiGo crisis last week, and she had to book another one. Her new flight arrived almost on time, but there was a long delay retrieving her luggage. Passengers were even asked to wait inside the plane after landing without being told the reason.”
Lost and found unaffected
Despite the baggage chaos, the lost and found department at Mumbai airport’s Terminal 1 has seen no spike in unclaimed items. An employee said, “We are seeing the usual volume. We thought more passengers might lose belongings during the rush, but that has not happened.”
IndiGo pilot’s open letter
A pilot posted an anonymous open letter on social media alleging:
>> Years of internal decay with fatigue, unsafe duty hours, poor pay and intimidation
>> Toxic leadership that dismissed concerns with humiliation instead of support
>> Severe manpower strain across pilots, engineers, cabin crew and ground staff
>> Weak regulatory backing during licensing delays, fatigue-rule changes and operational pressure
>> Appeal for reform, urging the government to enforce minimum wages, staffing and fatigue rules, arguing IndiGo risks collapse not from higher pay but from neglect
IndiGo updates
>> More than 1800 flights operated on Monday, higher than about 1650 on Sunday
>> On-time performance at 90 per cent, up from about 75 per cent the previous day
>> Network coverage fully restored
>> All Monday cancellations were executed on Sunday to ensure advance notice
