India Airports Face Over 100 Flight Cancellations Stranding Thousands Passengers
Air travel across India experienced significant disruption on Tuesday, with over 100 domestic and international flights cancelled, leaving thousands of passengers stranded at major airports, including Delhi, Pune, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, and Ahmedabad. Key carriers affected included Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air, prompting widespread frustration among travellers navigating the busy festive season.
Officials indicated that the cancellations were caused by a combination of adverse weather conditions, technical snags, crew shortages, and peak-hour airport congestion. In Pune’s Lohegaon Airport, flights to Bengaluru and Chennai were among those cancelled, impacting business and leisure travellers alike. Delhi airport saw cancellations on routes to Ahmedabad and Varanasi, while similar disruptions were reported in Hyderabad, Cochin, and Kolkata.
Aviation experts note that cascading delays compounded the situation, as delayed aircraft and limited turnaround times created a ripple effect across multiple cities. Operational constraints were also cited for cancellations, including international departures such as Cochin-bound flights to Jeddah. Authorities emphasised that all grounded flights were precautionary measures to ensure passenger safety.
Airport officials reported that emergency protocols were activated to manage stranded passengers, including dedicated helpdesks, real-time updates, and rebooking facilities. Despite the disruptions, operations at major airports continued, with authorities stressing that alternate flights and compensation procedures were being facilitated to minimise inconvenience.
Passengers have been advised to monitor flight statuses closely via airline websites and mobile applications, and to utilise SMS or email alerts for timely information. Industry experts highlight that maintaining all booking receipts is crucial for compensation claims and insurance purposes, especially during high-traffic periods like the pre-festive season.From a broader perspective, analysts suggest that India’s aviation infrastructure is increasingly stressed during peak travel periods, underscoring the need for enhanced operational coordination, expanded airspace management, and strategic scheduling.
They advocate for measures including flexible crew deployment, predictive maintenance, and upgraded airport handling systems to prevent recurring disruptions.Officials also stressed that sustainable solutions, such as optimised flight scheduling and green airport practices, are essential to balance passenger demand with environmental and operational efficiency. The aviation sector’s resilience in handling such large-scale disruptions remains critical as India continues to experience growing air travel demand year-on-year.
