Budget airline IndiGo canceled around 500 flights on Friday, all of which were from the capital New Delhi.
It is the fourth day of cancellations after the low-cost carrier failed to plan for new rules, which require longer rest periods for workers and limit flight hours at night for greater safety.
Which IndiGo flights have been cancelled?
Delhi airport announced that all IndiGo flights, the total number of which is believed to be 235, have been canceled on Friday.
Chennai airport also said that all IndiGo flights to other major cities were canceled till 6 pm on Friday.
Other major hubs also announced mass cancellations, with 104 flights grounded in Mumbai, 102 in Bengaluru and 92 in Hyderabad.
A temporary relaxation from strict night-duty limits was granted on Friday, allowing some short-term relief. The civil aviation ministry says the airline underestimated how the new rules would impact pilot availability.
Other carriers have not reported similar problems, and shares of the low-cost carrier fell about 3% on Friday as part of a weekly decline of 10.3%.
Meanwhile, opposition MPs have demanded a discussion in Parliament as passengers continue to face delays.
What is the impact of Indigo cancellation?
The low-cost carrier operates about two-thirds of India’s domestic flights and has warned that normal operations will not be resumed until February 10. IndiGo has said the reduction stems from planning gaps as it attempted to implement the second phase of the new tariff rules.
Passengers are stranded at major airports and waiting for hours with little information. Some people are sleeping on the terminal floor. The scene has turned tense at Bengaluru airport with reports of arguments and slogans of despair.
The story went viral of a couple forced to attend their wedding ceremony in the southern state of Karnataka via video link after widespread IndiGo flight cancellations, leaving them stranded in the eastern city of Bhubaneswar.
The couple had booked tickets from Bhubaneswar to Bengaluru and then to Hubli in Karnataka for their reception in the bride’s hometown. With their flight repeatedly delayed and ultimately canceled since Tuesday morning, the bride and groom dressed for the event and attended the reception remotely.
Edited by: Roshni Majumdar