We have faced tough moments before, this is no different: IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers

Estimates suggest the airline has seen 300-400 cancellations of flights over three days starting December 2, 2025

With IndiGo facing a third day of major flight disruptions, chief executive Pieter Elbers said the airline’s immediate goal was to restore operations and bring punctuality back on track.

“We have faced tough moments before, but we turned challenges into triumphs, proving our resilience, strength and unity. This moment will be no different,” Elbers wrote in an email to employees on Thursday.

IndiGo staff, especially the ground staff stationed at various airports across the country and cabin crew, including pilots, have borne the brunt of passenger ire over the last few days. Flyers have been stuck at airports and on aircraft for extended periods due to the disrupted schedule.

The airline has seen 300-400 flight cancellations over three days starting December 2, according to estimates.

“We are feeling our customers’ concerns and anxieties just as deeply. We are proactively reaching out to affected customers and helping them in every way possible to ease their discomfort,” Elbers added.

Before the disruptions started, IndiGo operated 2,200 flights a day, serving close to 380,000 passengers daily. This made it the largest domestic carrier with a market share of around 65%. More than three out of every five Indians fly with IndiGo.

“Given the size, scale and complexity of our network, these disruptions grow large immediately and require interventions on multiple levels and dimensions. For that, a lot of work is being conducted right now. Our immediate goal is to normalise operations and bring punctuality back on track in the coming days, which is not an easy target,” Elbers added.

On December 3, Indigo announced the initiation of calibrated adjustments to its schedules. These measures will remain in place till December 5, which it believes will allow it to normalise its operations and progressively recover its punctuality across the network.

“Just a few days ago, we performed remarkably well as a united team to achieve an unimaginable feat of upgrading 200 aircraft (A320s) in less than 24 hours. I am confident we all can deal with this challenge, too. Together, as a team, we will overcome this challenge and emerge even stronger,” Elbers added.