### IndiGo Faces Government Mandate Amidst Major Flight Cancellations and Passenger Discontent IndiGo Airlines has been thrust into the spotlight following a significant operational crisis that led to the cancellation of over 1,000 flights, affecting nearly 70% of its daily operations. In response to widespread passenger grievances and protests at airports, the Indian government has issued strict directives mandating the airline to expedite refunds and improve service delivery. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has set a deadline for IndiGo to complete all pending refunds by 8 PM on December 7, 2025, and has also instructed the airline to waive rescheduling fees for affected passengers [https://zeenews.india.com/india/indigo-crisis-airline-must-process-all-refunds-by-today-heres-how-to-check-your-status-2993209.html][https://www.india.com/business/breaking-indigo-offers-refunds-waives-rescheduling-fees-after-govt-directive-on-cancellations-8217410.html]. ### Breakdown of the Current Situation and Government Response 1. **Crisis Overview**: - IndiGo has faced unprecedented operational disruptions, with over 1,000 flights canceled on December 5, 2025, and more than 800 on December 6, 2025, primarily due to crew shortages and new regulations [https://telanganatoday.com/indigo-cancels-over-800-flights-focuses-on-refunds-and-restoring-operations][https://www.india.com/business/breaking-indigo-offers-refunds-waives-rescheduling-fees-after-govt-directive-on-cancellations-8217410.html]. 2. **Government Directives**: - The Ministry of Civil Aviation has mandated that IndiGo must process all refunds for canceled flights by December 7, 2025, at 8 PM. Additionally, the airline is required to deliver any misplaced baggage within 48 hours [https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/corporate/story/indigo-flight-chaos-govt-orders-indigo-to-clear-all-refunds-by-dec-7-evening-warns-of-action-for-any-delays-505416-2025-12-06.html][https://www.rediff.com/news/report/govts-big-order-on-refund-rescheduling-fees-indigo-responds/20251206.htm]. 3. **Passenger Support Measures**: - IndiGo has announced automatic refunds for all bookings canceled between December 5 and December 15, 2025, and has waived all cancellation and rescheduling fees for affected passengers [https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/indigo-offers-refunds-waives-rescheduling-fees-after-govt-directive-on-cancellations-101765016182454.html][https://www.chinimandi.com/indigo-crisis-airline-announces-automatic-refunds-full-waiver-for-travel-disruptions-between-dec-5-15]. 4. **Financial Implications**: - The total refunds processed by IndiGo are expected to exceed ₹610 crore, reflecting the scale of the operational crisis and the financial burden on the airline [https://www.outlookmoney.com/news/govt-asks-indigo-to-complete-refund-process-for-cancelled-flights-by-sunday-evening][https://thebrewnews.com/thebrew-news/south-asia/indigo-refund-2025-crore]. ### Summary of Findings and Future Implications **Key Conclusions**: 1. **Immediate Action Required**: IndiGo must complete all pending refunds by the government-imposed deadline to avoid regulatory action. 2. **Passenger Rights Protected**: The waiving of rescheduling fees and automatic refunds are significant steps towards restoring passenger trust. 3. **Operational Recovery**: The airline is under pressure to stabilize operations and improve service delivery to prevent future crises. **Next Steps**: - IndiGo's management must prioritize the implementation of government directives to ensure compliance and regain customer confidence. - Continuous monitoring of operational performance and passenger feedback will be essential in the coming weeks to avoid further disruptions. The situation remains fluid, and the airline's response will be critical in shaping its reputation and operational viability moving forward [https://www.india.com/business/breaking-indigo-offers-refunds-waives-rescheduling-fees-after-govt-directive-on-cancellations-8217410.html][https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/govt-asks-indigo-to-issue-refund-by-december-7-warns-of-regulatory-action-101765010718747.html].