IndiGo claims 75 pc on-time performance after cancelling over 600 flights; 'network normalising swiftly', says Union minister

IndiGo on Sunday claimed that 75 per cent of its services operated on time. This was on a day that saw over 600 services of the major domestic airline operator cancelled. IndiGo claimed it was on track to operate 1,650 flights on Sunday, 80 more than on Saturday.

In a post on X, IndiGo claimed 137 of its 138 destinations were operational on Sunday, stating, "On-time performance of 75 per cent - up from 30 per cent yesterday." The airline claimed it was on track to "operate 1,650 flights, up from 1,500 flights on Saturday." The airline added that a full waiver would be provided for cancellations and reschedule requests for bookings until December 15, stating, "We are working round the clock to resume normal service. Please bear with us."

In a video circulated internally, IndiGo's CEO Pieter Elbers reportedly said, "Step by step, we are getting back." He added, "Today, we have realised further improvements of the system in order to reach around 1,650 flights," as quoted by PTI.

Elbers reportedly issued the video message from the airline's operational control centre. In an earlier video message, issued on Friday, Elbers apologised for the chaos and said the flight cancellations were "imperative for progressive improvements". The airline has reportedly sought time until February to normalise its operations, which went haywire following the implementation of the Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) rules.

Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said IndiGo had been directed to ensure timely passenger communication on cancellations and complete all refunds for canceled or heavily delayed flights by 8 pm today.

In a post on X, Naidu added, "The aviation network is now moving swiftly toward full normalcy and corrective measures will continue until operations fully stabilise."