News anchor lashes out at IndiGo over refund for cancelled flight: ‘Left my family stranded at 5am’

News anchor Gargi Rawat said her family's flight was cancelled on December 5. According to DGCA statements, IndiGo has processed all refunds for cancellations between December 3–5. (File photo)

A news anchor has publicly criticised IndiGo on X after the airline allegedly refused compensation for a cancelled Bhopal flight, despite widespread refunds and vouchers promised to passengers affected by the airline’s early‑December disruptions.

NDTV's Gargi Rawat shared that her family was left “stranded at 5am” on December 5 when an IndiGo flight to Bhopal — booked months in advance — was cancelled. She alleged that the airline later refused compensation, forcing the family to take a Shatabdi train instead.

Rawat posted the grievance alongside IndiGo’s initial response, which appears to have stated that the cancellation did not qualify for compensation. “Seriously, @IndiGo6E?” she exclaimed.

Seriously @IndiGo6E ? You left my family stranded at 5am on 5th December, when you cancelled a flight to Bhopal booked months in advance. And now refuse to compensate? Thankfully managed a Shatabdi and made it to Satpura. Now the gall! #Indigopic.twitter.com/6saWhGgj14

— Gargi Rawat (@GargiRawat) February 18, 2026

Rawat says IndiGo reached out after post, civil aviation ministry reacts

In an update, Rawat said IndiGo had since contacted her, and she hoped the matter would be resolved. The Ministry of Civil Aviation also responded directly to Rawat on X, saying it had contacted the airline.

"Dear Gargi, we are in contact with the concerned airline regarding the case. The matter will be processed in accordance with the applicable provisions," it stated.

The development comes as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has been actively reviewing IndiGo’s handling of refunds and compensation for passengers affected between 3 and 5 December, a period of widespread cancellations triggered by pilot‑availability issues and new duty‑time norms.

IndiGo says all refunds for December 3–5 flights were processed

According to DGCA statements cited by Moneycontrol, IndiGo has processed all refunds for cancellations between December 3–5.

Further, as an additional measure to support affected passengers, the airline has extended a "gesture of care under which two travel vouchers of Rs 5,000 each are being provided with a validity of 12 months". Passengers are entitled to compensation as per DGCA regulations that relate to "facilities" that are to be provided to passengers by airlines due to "denied boarding, cancellation of flights and delays in flights".

Cancellations stemmed from major operational disruption

The December disruptions were among the airline’s largest in recent years, with more than 3,500 cancellations across the three‑day window, according to aviation regulator briefings.

The operational strain was linked to IndiGo’s pilot‑roster gaps that collided with the implementation of stricter Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms which resulted in widespread crew shortages.