Raipur, 6 December (H.S.): IndiGo Airlines’ operational crisis entered its fifth consecutive day on Saturday, with six flights to Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Indore canceled at Raipur’s Swami Vivekananda Airport, leaving passengers furious amid soaring alternative fares and inadequate support. Airport authorities confirmed the cancellations, following Friday’s disruption of 20 round-trip flights due to crew and pilot shortages.

Fares on the Raipur-Mumbai route have surged past ₹46,000, prompting chaotic scenes at the terminal where travelers queued endlessly without food, water, or accommodation despite overnight stays. Travel agents reported over 7,000 passengers rescheduling trips, including dozens connecting to international flights from Delhi and Mumbai, and more than 100 waiting over 24 hours for Hyderabad or Chennai departures — none receiving email or SMS alerts.

A Jaipur-bound wedding band group, booked six months in advance, lamented losses running into lakhs from two canceled gigs.Distraught passengers accused IndiGo of absentee senior staff at helpdesks and evasive responses.

One woman passenger, heading to her ailing son in Delhi, broke down tearfully: “My boy is critically ill. Flights keep canceling since morning. They’re offering just ₹6,000 refund but demand ₹25,000 more for alternatives.”

IndiGo has stated normal operations may take two to three more days, but mounting outrage highlights the absence of accountability as affected travelers — from students and families to professionals — endure mounting hardships across India’s airports.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar