• Source:JND
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Passenger frustrations breached the threshold level on Friday, December 4 as IndiGo’s flight operations continue to be in limbo for the fifth consecutive day. Scenes of frustration, tears and open confrontation unfolded at major airports in the country even after the airline insisted that it is trying to stabilise the operations.

At the Mumbai Airport, tempers flared as a passenger was seen climbing over the airline counters after waiting for hours and demanded clarity from the authorities.  IndiGo claimed to be providing alternate flights, refunds, and accommodation, but the reality on the ground, was characterised by long queues and contradictory information pqinted a picture of widespread mismanagement and exhaustion. 
 
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Passenger's Angst Over Widespread Flight Cancellations

A visibly distressed passenger, identified as Maharishi Jani was scheduled for a 6:15 am connecting IndiGo flight to Guwahati for the prestigious Smart India Hackathon 2025. However, the massive delay caused their team of six students and two mentors to miss the competion.  

"About 74,000 ideas were submitted there and nearly 1400 ideas were selected. Our centre was North-Eastern Hill University and we were scheduled to perform there. We had booked IndiGo flights. But the flight is delayed and so, we will not be able to go there. There is no other possible way of transportation. If we take a train, it will take us 3 days to reach there. Our hard work of 6-7 months is now wasted. We are returning home. Such opportunities are rare," Jani added. 

On the other hand, a passenger shared his two-day ordeal and stated that, "I was stranded in Kolkata and Hyderabad for 2 days." He further said that he somehow managed to reach Indore via a different airline, but his luggage remains lost for which he is currently seeking assistance from the airline authorities.

Meanwhile, amid the long queues at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad a passenger was seen weeping after waiting for hours at the airport. 

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IndiGo CEO Expects Complete Normalcy By Dec 15

In a related development, IndiGo CEO Peter Elbers has categorically stated that things are expected to return to normalcy between December 10 and 15. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu held IndiGo's mismanagement of its crew responsible for the massive flight disruptions.

This operational collapse, which spiralled into chaos over the past days, was initially triggered by a crew shortage resulting from the DGCA's new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) regulations concerning pilot rest rules.

On Friday, December5, the DGCA withdrew the FDTL regulations, citing IndiGo flight cancellations and representations received by the airlines.

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