The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has announced that all refunds for Interglobe Aviation flights cancelled between December 3-5, 2025 have been fully processed and cleared to passengers' original payment sources. The aviation regulator confirmed this development through an official press note, marking the completion of refund processing for one of the most significant operational disruptions in recent aviation history.

Refund Processing and Compensation Framework

The DGCA had been actively engaging with IndiGo regarding refunds and compensation for passengers affected by the operational disruptions during the three-day period. The regulator emphasized that passengers whose flights were cancelled within 24 hours of scheduled departure during this window may claim compensation under the Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) Section 3, Series M, Part IV, where applicable.

IndiGo's Gesture of Care Program

Beyond regulatory requirements, IndiGo has implemented an additional compensation measure termed "Gesture of Care" (GoC) for affected passengers. This program specifically targets passengers whose flights were cancelled or delayed by more than three hours during the December 3-5 period.

Root Cause and Regulatory Response

The operational disruptions trace back to the implementation of new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms on November 1, 2025. These regulations created a pilot shortage that escalated into more than 3,500 flight cancellations across the network. The DGCA responded with temporary exemptions, including capped fares and enforced refunds, while the situation extended into January with additional regulatory scrutiny, including a Competition Commission of India (CCI) probe.

Passenger Advisory

The DGCA has urged passengers to ensure accurate mobile numbers and email addresses are provided during booking to enable timely communication regarding schedule changes. This recommendation aims to improve passenger notification systems and reduce inconvenience during future operational disruptions.

Interglobe Aviation announced on Thursday, January 15, the cancellation of three international flights scheduled for January 16 due to the ongoing closure of Iranian airspace. The disruption affects the airline's Central Asia services amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the region.

Flight Cancellations and Route Disruptions

The cancelled flights represent a significant disruption to IndiGo's international operations. The affected services include key routes connecting India with Central Asian destinations.

The airline cited route disruptions specifically affecting its Central Asia services and advised passengers to check their flight status through official channels or contact customer service helplines for assistance.

Industry-Wide Impact

IndiGo is not alone in facing operational challenges due to the airspace restrictions. Multiple Indian carriers have been compelled to issue travel advisories and adjust their flight schedules.

• Air India issued travel advisories regarding potential delays and cancellations
• SpiceJet similarly warned passengers about possible service disruptions
• All advisories cite the Iranian airspace closure linked to escalating tensions between Iran and the United States

Separate Air India Ground Incident

In an unrelated development, Air India faced a significant operational setback when flight AI101 operating on an A350 aircraft had to return to Delhi following a ground incident at approximately 5:25 am IST. During taxiing operations in poor visibility conditions, the aircraft's No.2 engine ingested a cargo container, resulting in major damage to the engine.

Preliminary investigation findings point to a BWFS tug as the source of the incident, where a container reportedly toppled onto the taxiway. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered a comprehensive probe into the circumstances surrounding this incident.

Passenger Advisory

All three airlines have urged passengers to stay updated on their flight status through official channels and reach out to airline helplines for assistance with rebooking or other travel arrangements. The ongoing situation continues to affect international flight operations as airlines navigate the complex airspace restrictions in the region.