Indigo Flight Chaos: Are UAE Travellers Affected? Experts Reveal the Truth

DUBAI – Hundreds of flights cancelled. Chaos at airports. For the thousands of Indian expats in the UAE planning their December getaway, the headlines about Indigo Airlines have caused a wave of panic.

But before you rush to cancel your tickets, travel experts in the UAE have an urgent message: Read the fine print.

While domestic operations in India are facing turbulence, the impact on international routes from the UAE remains minimal. Here is the full breakdown of the situation.

Direct Flights: The Safe Zone

If you are flying directly from Dubai, Sharjah, or Abu Dhabi to an Indian city, your plans are likely safe.

"None of the international flights of Indigo airline have been impacted," confirmed Mohammed Safeer, General Manager of Smart Travels. He assured that the airline has committed to maintaining its international schedule.

Raheesh Babu, COO of Musafir.com, backed this up, stating that despite the domestic chaos, international departures and arrivals have been on time-with the exception of a single isolated delay on a Dubai-Calicut flight due to pilot illness.

The 'Red Zone': Domestic Connections

The real risk lies with travelers booking connecting flights within India (e.g., Dubai -> Mumbai -> Kerala).

Hundreds of domestic flights have been axed following new DGCA rules mandating more rest for pilots (48 hours/week) to combat fatigue. This has forced travelers like Annu Joseph to rethink their plans.

"My plan was to fly to Bangalore... and then take a domestic flight to Kerala," Annu said. "With the cancellations, I am rethinking... I don't have time to waste."

Expert Advice: Experts are now advising clients to book direct flights wherever possible. Relying on a domestic connection in India right now carries a high risk of delay or cancellation.

Why Is This Happening?

The disruption stems from a "perfect storm" of operational challenges:

New Pilot Rules: Stricter caps on night landings and mandatory rest periods.

Weather: Adverse fog conditions in North India.

Tech Issues: Operational glitches impacting scheduling.

When Will It End?

There is light at the end of the tunnel. Praveen Chowdhury of Saffron Travels believes the ramifications won't be felt beyond this week. Indigo has stated they are "recalibrating" their network over the next 48 hours to stabilize schedules.

The Bottom Line: If you have a direct ticket to India, relax. If you have a connecting flight, check your status immediately or consider upgrading to a direct route.