IndiGo’s flight services across India, including in Bengaluru, were disrupted for many days in December 2025 owing to overstretching of its flight crew.
| Photo Credit: File photo
December, which is a peak season for travel, especially among domestic commuters, saw a drop of more than one lakh domestic passengers at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) compared to the previous month (November 2025) owing to the large-scale flight cancellation by IndiGo.
IndiGo’s flight services across India and Bengaluru were disrupted for many days in December 2025 owing to overstretching of its flight crew. Several domestic flights were also cancelled.
Due to this, KIA handled 3,133,697 passengers in December 2025 compared to 3,279,765 passengers in November 2025, according to data from Airports Authority of India (AAI). The airport handled 1,46,068 less domestic passengers.
According to AAI data in December 2024, the airport handled 3,160,515 domestic passengers. The difference in passenger numbers between December 2025 and 2024 was -0.8%.
The number of aircraft movements (domestic) in December 2025 was 19,202, as against 20,041 in November 2025. The airport handled 839 fewer flights.
In December 2024, the domestic aircraft movement stood at 19,890, and the difference in aircraft movement numbers between December 2025 and 2024 was -3.5%.
During the IndiGo crisis, more than 100 flights were cancelled across several days in the Bengaluru sector and more than 150 flights were cancelled on other days. December 6 saw the highest number of cancellations at 175.
According to AAI data during 2025, the airport handled the highest number of domestic passengers in November (3,279,765) with 20,041 flights.
It handled the least number of passengers in February (2,80,9028) with 17,224 flights.
15‑year licence
Menzies Aviation has been awarded a 15-year licence to provide ground handling services at KIA. The licence is effective from April 1, 2026, with operations expected to commence immediately upon securing required regulatory approvals.
Under the new licence, the company will provide a full suite of ground handling services across Terminals 1 and 2, including passenger, ramp, and baggage operations, enabling airline customers to benefit from integrated ground and cargo services at the airport.
As part of the agreement, Menzies will launch a local recruitment programme, with approximately 1,000 new employees expected to join the business during the first three years, expanding its existing 1,700‑strong cargo team.
Menzies will also invest more than $9.2 million to modernise and standardise its ground support equipment (GSE) at the airport, including the introduction of electric GSE as part of its long‑term sustainability strategy.
Published – February 03, 2026 11:10 pm IST
