metro india news  I new delhi

The civil aviation ministry on Saturday directed IndiGo to complete refunds for all cancelled and disrupted flights by 8 p.m. on Sunday, after continued large-scale flight cancellations affected thousands of passengers nationwide.

The instruction comes a day after IndiGo scrapped more than 1,000 flights amid an operational crisis, with disruptions entering the fifth consecutive day. Over 400 flights were cancelled on Saturday alone, further straining passenger movement across major airports. The ministry warned that any delay or non-compliance in refund processing would attract immediate regulatory action. It also directed airlines not to levy rescheduling charges for passengers whose travel plans were impacted.

IndiGo has been asked to set up dedicated passenger support and refund facilitation cells. These teams must proactively contact affected travellers, arrange refunds or alternative travel options, and minimise repeated follow-ups. The automatic refund system will continue until flight operations stabilise fully. Additionally, the ministry instructed the airline to trace and deliver all baggage separated from passengers due to cancellations or delays within 48 hours.