As turbulent weather conditions sweep across Asia, three major airlines—IndiGo, Akasa Air, and SpiceJet—have been forced to cancel multiple flights, leaving thousands of passengers stranded and creating significant disruptions. The bad weather, with heavy rainfall, strong winds, and low visibility, has triggered the widespread cancellations, significantly impacting both domestic and international travelers. The affected regions, including India, have witnessed severe delays, affecting tourists, business travelers, and locals alike.
IndiGo Airlines Cancels Multiple Domestic Flights Due to Adverse Weather
IndiGo, one of India’s largest low-cost carriers, has faced significant disruptions across its network, with a total of seven flights canceled due to bad weather conditions. These cancellations primarily affected flights originating from major Indian airports such as Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), Biju Patnaik International Airport (BBI), and Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (BOM).
The canceled flights were scheduled between cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bhubaneswar. Passengers aboard these flights were left with limited options, resulting in long waits and cancellations across various flights. According to reports, the cancellation of flight IGO1612 from Biju Patnaik Airport to Delhi and the reversal route from Delhi to Biju Patnaik, is causing significant inconvenience for travelers, particularly those with connecting international flights.
| Ident | Type | Origin | Destination | Scheduled Departure Time |
|---|
| IGO1612 | A320 | Biju Patnaik (BBI / VEBS) | Indira Gandhi Int’l (DEL / VIDP) | Fri 06:25PM IST |
| IGO1608 | A320 | Chennai Int’l (MAA / VOMM) | Chatrapati Shivaji Int’l (BOM / VABB) | Fri 11:30PM IST |
| IGO1607 | A320 | Chatrapati Shivaji Int’l (BOM / VABB) | Chennai Int’l (MAA / VOMM) | Sat 01:50AM IST |
| IGO1611 | A320 | Indira Gandhi Int’l (DEL / VIDP) | Biju Patnaik (BBI / VEBS) | Sat 06:40AM IST |
| IGO607 | A320 | Amausi (LKO / VILK) | Rajiv Gandhi Int’l (HYD / VOHS) | Sat 10:35AM IST |
| IGO1612 | A320 | Biju Patnaik (BBI / VEBS) | Indira Gandhi Int’l (DEL / VIDP) | Sat 06:25PM IST |
| IGO1608 | A320 | Chennai Int’l (MAA / VOMM) | Chatrapati Shivaji Int’l (BOM / VABB) | Sat 11:30PM IST |
Akasa Air Faces Widespread Cancellations Across Key Routes
Akasa Air, a relatively new entrant in the Indian aviation market, was also impacted by the inclement weather conditions, resulting in two cancellations of important routes. The airline, known for its budget-friendly services, had to cancel its flights on the Pune to Kolkata and Kolkata to Bengaluru routes. Passengers traveling on these routes were left in uncertainty, as there were no immediate rebooking options, leading to overcrowding and confusion at the airports.
While the flight cancellations were due to the extreme weather conditions, Akasa Air has assured its passengers that it is doing its best to accommodate them on alternate flights, though the disruption continues to affect the travel plans of many.
| Ident | Type | Origin | Destination | Scheduled Departure Time |
|---|
| AKJ1565 | B38M | Pune / Lohegaon Air Force Base (PNQ / VAPO) | Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Int’l (CCU / VECC) | Sat 10:35AM IST |
| AKJ1565 | B38M | Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Int’l (CCU / VECC) | Bengaluru Int’l (BLR / VOBL) | Sat 02:05PM IST |
SpiceJet Faces Major Disruptions Across International Routes
SpiceJet, another key player in the Indian aviation sector, has also been affected by the weather disruptions. The airline was forced to cancel three flights, including domestic and international services. One of the major disruptions involved a flight from Kolkata to Ahmedabad, which was canceled at the last minute, leaving passengers stranded. Similarly, SpiceJet had to cancel flights between Madurai and Dubai, and Dubai to Mumbai, due to poor weather conditions and operational constraints.
SpiceJet’s passengers, particularly on international routes, faced the brunt of the impact, as these cancellations led to a domino effect, with significant delays and flight diversions.
| Ident | Type | Origin | Destination | Scheduled Departure Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEJ494 | B738 | Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Int’l (CCU / VECC) | Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Int’l (Ahmedabad) (AMD / VAAH) | Fri 11:15PM IST |
| SEJ23 | B38M | Madurai (IXM / VOMD) | Dubai Int’l (DXB / OMDB) | Sat 08:50AM IST |
| SEJ60 | B38M | Dubai Int’l (DXB / OMDB) | Chatrapati Shivaji Int’l (BOM / VABB) | Sat 12:35PM +04 |
The Impact on Passengers: A Plight of Frustration and Inconvenience
The sudden cancellations have left passengers frustrated and confused. Passengers waiting at the airports were not only dealing with delayed or canceled flights but also had to contend with long queues, overcrowded terminals, and a lack of clear communication from the airlines. Many travelers, particularly those on business trips or with tight schedules, were forced to rearrange their plans.
In some cases, the airlines struggled to provide adequate information about the next available flight, causing passengers to seek alternative modes of transportation. The cancellations also affected holiday travelers, especially during peak seasons, leading to a spike in demand for alternative flights, which, in turn, caused further congestion at airports.
The emotional and financial strain on the affected passengers cannot be understated. Many had to pay extra fees to secure rebooked flights or had to find accommodation near the airport, incurring additional costs. Furthermore, the uncertainty around flight schedules created anxiety for those with connecting flights or time-sensitive engagements.
Impact on Local Tourism: A Setback for the Tourism Industry
Tourism, one of the key economic drivers in several regions of Asia, also took a severe hit due to the flight cancellations. Cities like Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, and Delhi, which attract thousands of domestic and international tourists annually, saw a sharp decline in tourist activity during the period of disruption.
Local tourism businesses, including hotels, restaurants, and transportation services, faced reduced footfall as travelers had to delay or cancel their trips altogether. This has added pressure on the local economies, which rely on tourism for much-needed revenue.
In affected areas, local businesses that depend on incoming tourists, such as sightseeing companies, guides, and event planners, have reported losses. Many tourists had to cut their trips short, or worse, completely cancel their travel plans, leading to financial losses for local businesses that had prepared for a surge in demand.
Key Airports Affected by the Cancellations
The following airports were significantly impacted due to the flight cancellations:
- IndiGo Airlines:
- Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL): Delhi, being the capital city, witnessed massive disruptions in air traffic, with flights canceled to and from various cities.
- Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (BOM): Mumbai’s busy airport faced significant delays and cancellations, affecting both domestic and international flights.
- Biju Patnaik International Airport (BBI): Bhubaneswar, located in eastern India, faced a major flight schedule disruption.
- Akasa Air:
- Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU): Kolkata saw disruptions due to canceled flights, particularly those heading to Pune and Bengaluru.
- Pune Airport (PNQ): Pune’s regional airport was significantly affected as Akasa Air had to cancel its flight departing for Kolkata.
- SpiceJet:
- Kolkata Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU): This airport faced major cancellations, affecting both domestic and international travelers, particularly flights to Ahmedabad and Madurai.
- Madurai Airport (IXM): This regional airport in Tamil Nadu also faced flight disruptions, particularly for international travel.
- Dubai International Airport (DXB): International flights to and from Dubai were impacted, with SpiceJet canceling its services between Dubai and Mumbai.
Key Affected Routes
- IndiGo Airlines:
- Biju Patnaik (BBI) – Indira Gandhi (DEL): Both routes were canceled on Friday and Saturday, causing disruptions to travelers between Bhubaneswar and Delhi.
- Chennai (MAA) – Mumbai (BOM): This route was also canceled, leaving passengers from Chennai stranded, with limited options to reach Mumbai.
- Akasa Air:
- Pune (PNQ) – Kolkata (CCU): This key route saw cancellations, causing significant inconvenience for passengers traveling between Pune and Kolkata.
- Kolkata (CCU) – Bengaluru (BLR): Another affected route, with cancellations leading to a delay for passengers traveling to Bengaluru.
- SpiceJet:
- Kolkata (CCU) – Ahmedabad (AMD): This domestic route faced disruptions, leaving passengers stranded at Kolkata.
- Madurai (IXM) – Dubai (DXB): SpiceJet’s international operations were particularly affected, with cancellations between Madurai and Dubai, leading to heavy traffic at both airports.
- Dubai (DXB) – Mumbai (BOM): International connections from Dubai to Mumbai also faced delays, affecting the flow of passengers.
The Silver Lining: Opportunities for the Tourism Industry
Though the flight cancellations have caused major disruptions, they also present an opportunity for the tourism industry to bounce back. Airlines and airports will undoubtedly learn from this experience, improving their communication and operational procedures for future adverse weather situations.
One of the biggest lessons to be learned is the importance of efficient crisis management. Both airlines and local businesses need to have contingency plans in place to handle such situations swiftly and effectively. The tourism sector, in particular, must collaborate with airlines to ensure smooth rebooking processes and more resilient travel systems.
The positive side of this crisis could be improved services and better infrastructure in the future. As the tourism industry begins to recover, it can focus on offering travelers more flexibility and better support during disruptions, thereby fostering stronger relationships between airlines, airports, and passengers.
The post Travel Mayhem Hits India as 12 Flights Are Nixed and 84 Delayed: IndiGo, Akasa Air, and SpiceJet Hit Hard, Leaving Passengers in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Dubai Scrambling – Full Details on Cancelled Routes and How To Navigate the Chaos appeared first on Travel And Tour World.
