Bengaluru, Dec 3 (FNO): Air travel in Bengaluru was thrown into chaos on Tuesday as IndiGo cancelled 42 flights at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), triggering widespread delays and confusion among passengers. The cancellations included 22 incoming flights and 20 outbound services, affecting thousands of travellers during one of the busiest periods of the winter travel season.

Airport authorities confirmed that the disruptions began early in the day, with long queues quickly forming at departure gates as passengers were informed of last-minute changes. Several travellers took to social media to express frustration, citing poor communication and difficulty securing alternative arrangements.

IndiGo attributed the disruptions to a combination of operational challenges, including tech-related issues, congestion at major hubs, and cascading delays across its network. While the airline assured that refund and rescheduling options were being provided, many passengers complained of extended waiting hours and limited availability on replacement routes.

The impact was felt beyond Bengaluru as well, with ripple effects across metros such as Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Chennai, further tightening the already stretched domestic aviation grid.

Airport officials said efforts were underway to stabilise operations, though normal flight schedules may take several hours to fully resume. Meanwhile, aviation experts noted that the incident highlights the fragile state of airline networks during peak travel windows, where even limited disruptions can snowball into large-scale operational setbacks.