IndiGo stabilises flights, but baggage delays continue to frustrate passengers

IndiGo finally entered the new week on a steadier footing after days of unprecedented cancellations and fourdigit delays restoring most of its network on Monday even as passengers continued to grapple with a mounting baggage crisis that has outlasted the flight disruptionsFewer cancellationsBy 7 pm Monday the airline had cancelled 50 arrivals and 48 departures from Mumbai a sharp improvement from last weekrsquos disruptions An IndiGo crew member requesting anonymity told midday ldquoToday has been less hectic than last week Since the airline has restored about 91 per cent of connectivity we are now dealing more with baggage delivery issues than cancellationsrdquoAn IndiGo spokesperson said ldquoToday we are set to operate more than 1800 flights connecting all stations We have optimised our operations and reduced cancellations which are being communicated in advance Our ontime performance has improved to 91 per cent across the networkrdquoBaggage delays pile upWhile many passengers initially believed baggage issues would stabilise problems escalated from December 6 Several flyers said they had still not received their checkedin bags despite being assured delivery within 24 to 48 hours Karina Ostwal who flew from Mumbai to Bengaluru on December 5 after a 14hour delay said she is yet to receive her luggageldquoIt has been more than 48 hours and I still have no update I was given two contact numbers by the IndiGo staff but no one is answering callsrdquo she said Her engagement already postponed once due to the delay has been pushed further since her outfits and essential items are still missingAnother passenger Shubham Mehta has also been struggling A relative told midday ldquoThe staff told us the bags would arrive in 24 hours Now they are not willing to commit to any date We have come to the Mumbai airport for two days straight and no one has any answersrdquoShradha Shinde in Pune who was waiting for her daughterrsquos arrival said ldquoMy daughter missed her flight from Delhi to Pune due to the IndiGo crisis last week and she had to book another one Her new flight arrived almost on time but there was a long delay retrieving her luggage Passengers were even asked to wait inside the plane after landing without being told the reasonrdquoLost and found unaffectedDespite the baggage chaos the lost and found department at Mumbai airportrsquos Terminal 1 has seen no spike in unclaimed items An employee said ldquoWe are seeing the usual volume We thought more passengers might lose belongings during the rush but that has not happenedrdquoIndiGo pilotrsquos open letterA pilot posted an anonymous open letter on social media alleginggtgt Years of internal decay with fatigue unsafe duty hours poor pay and intimidationgtgt Toxic leadership that dismissed concerns with humiliation instead of supportgtgt Severe manpower strain across pilots engineers cabin crew and ground staffgtgt Weak regulatory backing during licensing delays fatiguerule changes and operational pressuregtgt Appeal for reform urging the government to enforce minimum wages staffing and fatigue rules arguing IndiGo risks collapse not from higher pay but from neglectIndiGo updatesgtgt More than 1800 flights operated on Monday higher than about 1650 on Sundaygtgt Ontime performance at 90 per cent up from about 75 per cent the previous daygtgt Network coverage fully restoredgtgt All Monday cancellations were executed on Sunday to ensure advance notice