IndiGo Refunds ₹827 Crore Amid Flight Disruptions; Govt Warns of Strict Action

New Delhi: Under heavy government scrutiny, low-cost carrier IndiGo on Monday announced that it has refunded ₹827 crore to passengers affected by recent large-scale flight disruptions, with the remaining refunds for cancellations up to December 15 currently under process.

The airline said it planned to operate over 1,800 flights on Monday — an increase from 1,650 flights on Sunday — as it continued efforts to stabilise operations. IndiGo also reported that more than 4,500 misplaced bags had been delivered to customers, with the remaining baggage expected to be returned within the next 36 hours.

“Today, we are all set to operate over 1,800 flights, connecting all stations that we operate to. We have optimised our operations and reduced cancellations, which are being communicated to customers in advance. Our on-time performance has improved to 91 per cent across the network,” the airline said in a statement.

The update came shortly after the Union government warned of strict action against the carrier. Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu, speaking in the Rajya Sabha, said a detailed inquiry had been initiated into the disruptions.

“IndiGo was supposed to manage the crew and roster. Passengers faced a lot of difficulties. We are not taking the situation lightly. We will take strict action and set an example for every airline. Any non-compliance will invite action,” the minister stated.

IndiGo said it is assisting over two lakh customers every day through multiple communication channels and that all cancellations in Monday’s schedule were finalised on Sunday to ensure timely notifications.

“While IndiGo is progressing further on the path to full recovery, we remain committed to assisting our customers and addressing their queries on a war footing. Several internal processes have been expedited,” the airline said.

Expressing regret over the disruption, IndiGo reiterated that its operations remain fully compliant with all Flight Duty Time Limit (FDTL) norms and safety regulations.