IndiGo Pilot Apologizes to Passengers During Massive Flight Delays: "I Want to Go Home Too"

IndiGo pilot Captain Pradeep Krishnan has offered a heartfelt apology to passengers experiencing flight delays, expressing that he too wished to "go home." Through the aircraft's public address system, Captain Krishnan acknowledged passengers' frustrations while assuring them of his efforts to expedite their journey.

In a video that has gained traction on Instagram, the captain can be heard telling travelers, "I am trying my level best to speed up," and "We are sorry for the inconvenience caused and we will give you more updates."

On his Instagram post caption, Captain Krishnan wrote, "I am sorry! I completely get how tough it is when a flight causes you to miss something important. I promise you, we're not on strike. As pilots, we're trying our best, and we want to go home too. A lot has been happening in the last few days, and my heart goes out to everyone who's stuck or stranded. I know it's not easy."

He mentioned that his flight to Coimbatore was also delayed and expressed gratitude for passengers' patience. Captain Krishnan urged travelers to show kindness to ground staff, stating, "They are trying their best to get you home." His announcement was met with appreciative applause from passengers.

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A post shared by Pradeep Krishnan (@capt_pradeepkrishnan)

IndiGo is showing signs of recovery following a period of significant flight disruptions. The airline has increased operations to over 1,650 flights, up from 1,500 the previous day, now serving 137 out of its 138 destinations. On-time performance has substantially improved to 75 percent on Sunday, compared to just 30 percent the day before.

Passengers affected by cancellations or delays are being offered complete waivers for rescheduling and cancellations for bookings through December 15. The airline has already processed refunds totaling Rs 610 crore and is actively working to reunite passengers with separated baggage, having successfully delivered 3,000 pieces across India.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has stepped in to help stabilize operations, implementing measures such as capping airfares to prevent overcharging. The Ministry continues to monitor IndiGo's operations through a 24x7 control room.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a show-cause notice to IndiGo, requiring a prompt response from the airline. In response, IndiGo has committed to stabilizing operations, possibly by December 10.