Pune: IndiGo’s Night-Long Operational Collapse Triggers 32 Flight Cancellations; Pune Airport Boosts Passenger Assistance
Reported by Akshata Pawar
Pune, 5th December 2025: Pune Airport moved into crisis-management mode on Thursday after IndiGo suffered a major overnight operational failure, forcing the cancellation of 32 flights and leaving hundreds of passengers stranded for hours.
Although passenger rush escalated sharply inside the terminal, the airport managed to keep overall operations stable by deploying additional staff, intensifying supervision and coordinating continuously with airlines, CISF and ATC to ease crowding.
Airport Activates Full Emergency Response Teams
In a late-night statement, airport officials confirmed that every key department—including operations, security, apron management and passenger facilitation teams—was placed on high alert.
Additional teams were deployed to:
-Control swelling queues at IndiGo’s ticket counters
-Assist overwhelmed ground-handling staff
-Guide stranded passengers seeking help
-Maintain orderly passenger movement inside the terminal
Authorities reiterated that safeguarding traveller welfare remained the highest priority throughout the disruption.
Mass Cancellations Between Midnight and 8 AM
IndiGo’s systems continued to struggle, resulting in a severe operational breakdown:
-16 incoming flights cancelled
-16 outgoing flights cancelled
-1 Nagpur–Pune service diverted to Hyderabad due to FDTL (Flight Duty Time Limitation) issues
All other airlines operated as scheduled, with Pune Airport ensuring that non-IndiGo carriers remained unaffected.
By early morning, chaotic scenes unfolded around IndiGo’s counters as passengers attempted to rebook, cancel tickets or obtain refunds. Many had remained inside the airport since the previous night as several IndiGo aircraft occupied parking bays without available crew.
This limited space for other aircraft and triggered cascading delays for subsequent flights requiring those bays.
Parking Bay Shortage Intensifies Operational Strain
Airport officials confirmed that grounded IndiGo planes blocked multiple bays, creating logistical bottlenecks. Despite the bay crunch, authorities ensured smooth handling of flights operated by other airlines, preventing further escalation.
Airport Director Santosh Dhoke acknowledged the inconvenience caused and assured passengers that restoration efforts were in full swing. “Passenger welfare remains our utmost priority. We sincerely appreciate the patience shown by travellers. All stakeholders—including airlines, CISF, ATC and ground handlers—are working together to stabilise the situation at the earliest,” he said.
Delays Expected to Continue Through the Day
With at least six more IndiGo flights already running late, officials cautioned that residual disruptions may persist. Travellers have been advised to check updated schedules before heading to the airport.
