MUMBAI : Even after the confirmation, travellers across India’s major airports continued to face widespread disruptions, with more than 400 flights cancelled nationwide, and the government warning of strict action over what it called internal planning failures.

Southern hubs faced the brunt of the impact. Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport reported 121 cancellations, 58 arrivals and 63 departures, with the next update expected after 6 pm. Chennai saw 41 flights cancelled through the day, including 18 departures and 23 arrivals.

Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) reported 58 cancellations, 44 departures and 14 arrivals. Thiruvananthapuram recorded minimal disruption, reporting one cancelled arrival and three departures, while confirming that some services operated as planned.

Western India was no exception. Ahmedabad’s 8 am update confirmed 16 cancellations, nine arrivals and seven departures, while Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport recorded 31 cancellations, including 14 arrivals and 17 departures, by 9:30 am. Authorities across airports said passengers were being assisted and that no terminal or airside issues were reported.

Amid rising public frustration, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu issued a strong statement in the Lok Sabha, asserting that “no airline, however large, will be permitted to cause hardship to passengers through planning failures and non-compliance with regulations.” He said IndiGo was being held accountable for the mass disruptions linked to internal crew-rostering failures.

The minister said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has already issued notices to the airline and warned that “strict and appropriate action will be taken.” He reaffirmed that “safety in civil aviation is completely non-negotiable,” adding that IndiGo has assured compliance with the DGCA’s revised Flight Duty Time Limitations.