IndiGo passenger slams ₹8,111 cancellation fee amid flight disruptions, airline blames travel agent

IndiGo airlines faced severe backlash on social media after a passenger accused it of deducting nearly 80% of his airfare following the cancellation of his flight amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan. The cancellation occurred in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor — India’s military strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and PoK — which led to temporary airspace restrictions and flight disruptions.

The passenger, Anjush Bhatia, took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his anger, calling the deduction of ₹8,111 from his airfare “blatant thuggery.” He claimed only ₹2,050 was refunded, with an additional ₹300 listed as a service fee. His post quickly went viral, drawing public support and demanding accountability from the airline.

IndiGo initially responded saying it was “concerned” and would investigate the matter. However, after further scrutiny, the airline clarified that the issue appeared to have originated from the platform of a third-party travel agent involved in the booking. IndiGo reassured the passenger that a full refund had already been processed on their end.

“Sir, based on the screenshot shared, the deduction seems to reflect your travel agent’s platform. Please contact them directly for assistance in claiming your refund,” the airline wrote in its response.

The incident highlights the confusion many passengers are facing in the wake of heightened military tensions in the region. Following the strikes on May 7, India temporarily restricted airspace in several zones, causing widespread delays and cancellations. Despite this, discrepancies in refund practices between different airlines — and third-party agents — have sparked frustration among affected travelers.