Travelers in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune, and Ahmedabad face chaos as Akasa Air, SpiceJet, and others cancel and delay flights; tourism and business travel take a hit.
Travel Turmoil Across Indian Airports
Air travel in India has been significantly disrupted, with over 400 flight delays and 19 cancellations affecting passengers across major cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, and Ahmedabad. The operational setbacks have primarily impacted airlines such as Akasa Air, SpiceJet, and even international carriers like Saudia and United Airlines.
- FlightAware data confirms: 478 delays and 19 cancellations recorded.
- Overcrowded terminals and long wait times have caused major inconvenience for domestic and international flyers.
Major Airports Severely Affected
The disruptions have paralyzed normal operations at India’s busiest airports, causing a ripple effect on both local and international travel.
1. Indira Gandhi International Airport (Delhi)
- 5 cancellations, 176 delays
- Affected airlines: Akasa Air, SpiceJet, Saudia, United Airlines
- International passengers especially affected due to flight re-routing and missed connections.
2. Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (Mumbai)
- 2 cancellations, 133 delays
- Akasa Air is the most impacted, leading to bottlenecks in passenger movement.
3. Kempegowda International Airport (Bengaluru)
- 6 cancellations, 83 delays
- Disruptions are affecting southern India’s connectivity, including tech and business travelers.
4. Pune / Lohegaon Airport (PNQ)
- 2 cancellations, 23 delays
- Mostly impacted by SpiceJet cancellations, frustrating regional travelers.
5. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (Ahmedabad)
- 4 cancellations, 63 delays
- Akasa Air and SpiceJet again lead the list of affected carriers.
Airlines at the Epicenter
Akasa Air and SpiceJet are the most severely affected, with multiple delays and cancellations across all major airports.
- Akasa Air:
- 5 cancellations in Bengaluru
- 2 cancellations each in Mumbai, Delhi, and Ahmedabad
- Widespread delays impacting reliability and passenger sentiment.
- SpiceJet:
- 2 cancellations each in Pune and Ahmedabad
- Several delays in Delhi and Bengaluru
- Ongoing operational challenges continue to affect the airline’s service quality.
- International Airlines Affected:
- Saudia and United Airlines each saw 1 cancellation in Delhi, highlighting the global impact of these disruptions.
Likely Impact on Local Tourism and Business Travel
These extended disruptions will have a notable economic impact, particularly in tourism-heavy and business-centric cities.
Delhi
- Tourism hit as visitors face delays reaching landmarks like India Gate, Qutub Minar, and the Red Fort.
- Business travel interruptions could deter future plans for conferences and trade events.
Mumbai
- Impact on both leisure and corporate travel.
- Decline in hotel bookings and restaurant traffic expected due to uncertainty in travel timelines.
Pune & Ahmedabad
- Pune’s IT industry and Ahmedabad’s cultural tourism are affected.
- Regional economic activity may slow as flight reliability concerns grow.
Bengaluru
- As a tech and startup hub, delayed international and domestic flights disrupt business schedules and connectivity with global markets.
What Passengers Should Do Now
If you’re among the many impacted travelers, here are essential tips to handle the situation:
1. Contact the Airline Immediately
- Check rebooking options or request standby placement on the next available flight.
- Akasa Air and SpiceJet have active support lines and social media channels for real-time assistance.
2. Ask About Refunds or Compensation
- As per DGCA guidelines, affected passengers may be entitled to refunds or vouchers.
- Don’t hesitate to ask for your rights if your flight was delayed for more than 3 hours or canceled without prior notice.
3. Utilize Airport Amenities
- Major airports offer lounges, restaurants, free Wi-Fi, and information kiosks to make waiting more manageable.
- Visit airport help desks for assistance with onward travel and accommodations.
4. Stay Updated
- Monitor your flight’s status through the airline’s mobile app or website.
- Subscribe to SMS or app notifications for real-time alerts.
5. Get Help from Travel Agents
- If your booking was through a travel agent, contact them for faster rebooking options and alternate routes.
Travel chaos hit Indian airports as over 478 flight delays and 19 cancellations by Akasa Air, SpiceJet, and others disrupted schedules in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune, and Ahmedabad. Passengers faced long waits and missed connections, affecting both tourism and business travel nationwide.
