IndiGo Flight Cancellations: Will You Get a Full Refund If Your Flight Is Cancelled? Here’s What Passengers Should Know
IndiGo passengers across the country have been facing major disruptions as India’s largest airline continues to cancel hundreds of flights daily. On December 5, IndiGo cancelled more than 700 flights, marking the fourth consecutive day of widespread disruptions in its operations. With over 1,000 flights cancelled in just four days, travellers are now left confused about refunds, rescheduling options, and their rights during mass cancellations.
If you’re wondering whether a full refund is guaranteed when a flight gets cancelled, here’s a detailed explanation of the situation and what passengers can legally expect.
IndiGo’s Flight Crisis: What’s Happening?
IndiGo has been struggling with large-scale operational issues for several days. According to airport sources, almost all IndiGo flights from Delhi Airport were cancelled on Wednesday, severely affecting thousands of passengers. Only a limited number of flights were allowed to operate due to internal challenges the airline is yet to fully disclose.
Passengers across Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Chennai have also reported repeated cancellations, delays, and last-minute schedule changes. Many flyers reached airports only to learn that their flights had been cancelled without adequate prior notice.
Are Passengers Entitled to a Full Refund?
The biggest question right now is: Will passengers receive a complete refund if IndiGo cancels their flight?
According to India’s aviation rules, the answer is yes.
1. Full Refund Is Mandated Under DGCA Rules
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) clearly states that if an airline cancels a flight on its own, passengers are entitled to:
-
100% refund, OR
-
Free rescheduling, OR
-
Rebooking on another flight
The choice must be given to the passenger, not the airline.
2. Refund Must Be Processed Within 7 Days
For tickets booked through:
-
Credit/debit cards → Refund within 7 working days
-
Travel agents/portals → Refund within 3 working days after the agent receives the payment from the airline
-
Cash bookings → Refund within 24 hours
If the airline delays the refund, passengers can file a complaint with DGCA.
What If You Booked Through a Travel Website?
Many passengers are concerned that booking through apps like MakeMyTrip, Yatra or Cleartrip might affect the refund.
But the rules are clear:
-
The airline must refund the travel portal,
-
And the portal must return the money to the customer.
If either party delays payment, passengers can raise a grievance with AirSewa or DGCA.
Can You Claim Compensation in Addition to a Refund?
Compensation depends on the reason for cancellation:
✔ Eligible for Compensation
If the flight was cancelled due to:
-
Operational mismanagement
-
Staffing issues
-
Avoidable internal problems
Then the airline may be required to pay compensation as per DGCA rules.
✘ Not Eligible for Compensation
No compensation is paid if cancellations occur due to:
-
Bad weather
-
Natural disasters
-
Air traffic congestion
-
Government restrictions
However, the refund still applies.
What Should Affected Passengers Do?
If your IndiGo flight was cancelled, follow these steps:
-
Check your SMS/email for refund or rescheduling options
-
Contact customer support and request a full refund if not automatically processed
-
Keep screenshots of cancellation messages
-
File a complaint on:
-
✦ AirSewa App
-
✦ DGCA grievance portal
-
Passengers should never pay extra charges for rebooking when a cancellation is initiated by the airline.
Final Thoughts
IndiGo’s ongoing flight disruptions have created major inconvenience for travellers nationwide. With more than 1,000 cancellations in four days, the airline is under pressure to restore operations and offer timely support.
However, passengers must remember that Indian aviation rules strongly protect flyers. If your flight is cancelled, you are fully entitled to a complete refund, free rescheduling, or alternative travel arrangements—without any penalty.
Travellers are advised to stay updated through official IndiGo notifications and check refund status regularly until operations normalize.
