IndiGo Announces ₹10,000 Travel Vouchers for Passengers Hit by Severe Flight Disruptions
In a significant development aimed at restoring passenger confidence, IndiGo has announced that it will offer ₹10,000 travel vouchers to passengers who were severely impacted by the mass flight disruptions on December 3, 4, and 5. India’s largest domestic carrier said the vouchers will come in addition to refunds and government-mandated compensation, acknowledging the scale of inconvenience that thousands of travellers faced during the unprecedented operational crisis.
The move follows days of public outrage, widespread cancellations, and delays that left several airports across the country struggling with congestion. IndiGo’s announcement marks its strongest customer-centric measure since the airline’s operations spiralled into chaos earlier this month.
Vouchers Valid for 12 Months as IndiGo Seeks to Rebuild Passenger Trust
In its statement, IndiGo said the ₹10,000 travel vouchers can be redeemed for any future journey with the airline within the next 12 months, giving affected passengers flexibility in planning their future travel.
“IndiGo regrettably acknowledges that customers travelling on 3/4/5 December 2025 were stranded for many hours at certain airports and several were severely impacted due to congestion. We will offer travel vouchers worth ₹10,000 to such customers,” the airline said.
The carrier also reaffirmed that refunds for cancelled flights have already been initiated, with most reflecting in customer accounts. Refunds for tickets booked through travel platforms are also being processed.
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IndiGo Denies ‘Planned Crisis’ Claims, Attributes Chaos to Winter Operations and Tech Glitches
Amid growing speculation in some quarters, IndiGo issued a firm denial of claims suggesting a “planned crisis.” The airline clarified that the disruptions were caused by a combination of winter operations, severe congestion, and technical challenges, which together resulted in a breakdown of scheduling and ground operations.
The airline’s operational network is one of the largest in Asia, and the surge in delays reportedly created a cascading effect across its domestic routes, leading to an unprecedented volume of cancellations.
Government-Mandated Compensation to Be Paid Separately
IndiGo also emphasised that the vouchers are in addition to compensation required under government guidelines. As per DGCA regulations, passengers whose flights were cancelled within 24 hours of departure are entitled to ₹5,000 to ₹10,000, depending on block time.
The airline reiterated this in its statement multiple times, underscoring that customers will receive:
Full refunds,
Government-mandated cash compensation, and
The new ₹10,000 travel voucher for severe disruption.
This layered compensation structure is aimed at addressing both regulatory obligations and goodwill efforts.
DGCA Summons IndiGo CEO as Regulators Seek Clarity on the Aviation Crisis
Amid the fallout, IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers has been summoned by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). He is expected to present a detailed operational report—including data on cancellations, delays, and manpower deployment—at 3 pm on Thursday.
The DGCA is also examining whether the airline complied with Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms. According to early reports, non-implementation of FDTL norms was a major factor behind crew shortages, which contributed significantly to the crisis.
Operations Slowly Recovering as IndiGo Adds More Flights to Stabilise Network
IndiGo said it expects to operate over 1,950 flights on Thursday, a step towards rebuilding its network after the turbulence. The airline usually operates more than 2,200 flights a day, but the government has reduced winter capacity by 10% to help it stabilise operations and minimise cancellations.
At its worst point, IndiGo saw nearly 1,600 flights cancelled on December 5, triggering one of the largest aviation disruptions in India’s recent history.
Impact on IndiGo Stock and Broader Sentiment
The disruptions have already taken a toll on InterGlobe Aviation’s (IndiGo’s parent company) stock, which has seen sharp declines since the crisis unfolded. Analysts suggest that reputational damage, potential regulatory scrutiny, and compensation expenses may weigh on near-term valuations, although long-term fundamentals remain intact given IndiGo’s dominant market share and cost leadership.
For passengers, however, the immediate concern remains compensation and clarity—both of which IndiGo is attempting to address through refunds, mandated payouts, and the additional travel voucher.
Conclusion: IndiGo’s ₹10,000 Voucher Move Marks a Crucial Step Toward Restoring Passenger Confidence
IndiGo’s decision to offer ₹10,000 travel vouchers signals a strong effort to regain the trust of passengers affected by one of the worst operational breakdowns the airline has faced. While investigations continue and recovery efforts are underway, the airline’s multi-layered compensation approach aims to demonstrate accountability and transparency.
As IndiGo works to stabilise its network and address regulatory concerns, the aviation sector will closely monitor how quickly the carrier can restore normalcy—and whether these corrective measures will be enough to prevent further disruptions during the demanding winter season.
