Delhi is a city constantly on the move — powered by the keenness of its people to be in two places at once, sometimes literally. From business meetings in Mumbai to weddings in Bengaluru, air travel has become a daily rhythm of city life. Which is why the recent troubles with IndiGo — India’s dominant airline — hit especially hard here in our capital.
Over the last few weeks, thousands of travellers flying out of Delhi, especially during the seasonal rush, found themselves stranded, delayed or rescheduled. One airport was even forced to cease operations momentarily, highlighting just how tangled Delhi’s travel ecosystem has become with a single airline. With IndiGo operating more than 60% of all domestic flights and a large chunk from Indira Gandhi International Airport, even a small hiccup leads to widespread ripples.
Delhiites are known for planning ahead, but even the best-planned trip can crumble if an airline falters. Families hoping to return home for holidays, professionals attending career-making meetings, and students heading back to campuses — all were left in limbo. When timetables collapse, so do important life moments.
But perhaps the bigger concern isn’t about one weekend of flight disruption. It’s about putting all of Delhi’s travel eggs in one carrier’s basket. We’ve already seen what happens when financially shaky airlines fold overnight. Now, even a financially-stable one, purely due to its size, has the power to alter Delhi’s lifelines.
That said, this is also a call for opportunity. Our city can be a driver in pushing for stronger competition in aviation. More choice means more balance. Passengers deserve flexibility, airlines need accountability, and the city’s air grid needs resilience.
For now, if you’re flying out of Delhi anytime soon, a quick tap on that airline status app could be your best friend. Buffering in extra hours, booking with backup plans in mind, or even considering trains for shorter hauls might save more than just your time.
Delhi may be crowded, but it’s clever. We know how to pivot when plans shift. This inconvenience, tough as it was, is a cue for the city to demand better and plan smarter. The sky is vast — let’s not be stuck waiting at one gate forever.
#DelhiAirport #IndiGoFlights #TravelDelhi #FlySmart #AviationNews
About the Author
