‘One of the worst days to fly’: Rahul Vaidya hit by IndiGo glitch, forced to spend lakhs on last-minute tickets

Air travel turned chaotic across India on December 3–4, 2025, when multiple airlines — led by IndiGo — faced system outages and operational disruptions. Among those publicly sharing their ordeal was singer Rahul Vaidya, who said the glitch forced him into expensive last-minute travel and described the experience as “one of the worst days to fly.” This article explains what happened, how passengers like Rahul Vaidya were affected, why the disruption occurred, and practical steps travellers can take if they face similar trouble.

What happened to Rahul Vaidya — and how much did it cost?

Singer Rahul Vaidya took to social media to share the disruption he experienced after IndiGo flights were delayed and cancelled because airport check-in systems and airline operations were hit by technical problems. According to reports, Rahul Vaidya had to buy last-minute replacement tickets for a Goa–Mumbai route that cost approximately ₹4.2 lakh, an expense he highlighted while describing the day as a travel nightmare.

This anecdote illustrates the human side of a much bigger operational breakdown that affected hundreds of flights and thousands of travellers across the country.

The wider disruption: scale and official response

The outage on December 3 affected check-in systems at several airports and coincided with staffing and crew-roster constraints at IndiGo. Major news outlets reported widespread delays and cancellations — initially estimated in the hundreds — and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said it would investigate the disruptions. IndiGo also acknowledged operational issues and was asked by regulators to submit mitigation plans.

Some airports displayed notices blaming a global Microsoft outage for check-in failures; Microsoft denied such a widespread outage. Independent reporting suggests the disruption was a combination of system issues and operational pressures (crew rest rules, schedule congestion), which together led to cascading cancellations and delays.

Why passengers ended up paying huge sums like Rahul Vaidya did

When an airline cancels or severely delays a flight, passengers typically have options: rebooking on the same carrier, full refund, or rerouting. But during a rapid, large-scale outage, seat availability across carriers dries up fast. High demand for same-day travel drives prices up, leaving travellers with two bad choices — either wait and risk missing important commitments, or buy expensive last-minute tickets on other airlines or private charters.

That’s what happened in many cases on December 3–4 — passengers with urgent commitments (shows, events, meetings) opted to pay steep prices rather than postpone. Rahul Vaidya’s case is a high-profile example of that emergency-purchase scenario.

How IndiGo and regulators are handling the fallout

Regulators quickly stepped in. The DGCA launched a probe into the cause, asked IndiGo for detailed explanations and mitigation plans, and monitored cancellations and passenger impact. IndiGo publicly acknowledged disruptions and said it was working to stabilise operations; reporting suggests the carrier faced crew-availability constraints alongside IT and airport system issues. Investigations aim to determine whether the root cause was internal systems, third-party software, or a combination of factors.

For passengers, the DGCA’s involvement is important because it strengthens the case for refunds, rebooking support, and compensation where applicable. Keep hold of all receipts and communications — those are essential for any claim.

Practical steps if you’re affected (what Rahul Vaidya’s experience teaches us)

Short, actionable advice that actually helps.

Document everything

Take screenshots of boarding passes, cancellation notices, airline messages, and any airport displays. Save receipts for alternate transport or new tickets — you’ll need these for refunds or insurance claims.

Contact the airline immediately — and persist

Use the airline app, website, customer-service number, and social media channels (X/Twitter) simultaneously. During large outages phone lines may be busy; online records and social posts help establish a timeline.

Know your rights

If the airline cancels, you’re entitled to a refund or rebooking. If you paid a third party for an emergency ticket (like Rahul Vaidya did), request reimbursement from your original carrier — keep expectations realistic but file the claim. Regulatory action (DGCA probes) often strengthens passenger claims.

Check travel insurance

If you have travel insurance, most policies cover additional costs caused by cancellations and missed connections. Policies vary — check exclusions and claim procedures before you buy emergency tickets in future.

How airlines can avoid situations like this

The disruption underlines vulnerabilities in airline operations: dependency on external IT systems, tight crew rosters, and limited slack in highly optimised schedules.

Airlines and airports need better redundancy for critical check-in and boarding systems, clearer contingency protocols, and planning buffers for crew availability to absorb unexpected shocks. Regulators may also require more robust incident reporting and service-continuity plans as a result of the DGCA probe.

Final thoughts: what Rahul Vaidya’s story means for travellers

Rahul Vaidya becoming the face of this disruption gives a human dimension to the statistics: behind cancelled flights are artists, professionals, families and urgent commitments. For travellers, the incident is a reminder to plan for contingencies — documentation, flexible tickets where possible, travel insurance, and a calm multitool approach when things go wrong.

If you find yourself in similar straits: document everything, use multiple communication channels, know your rights, and file claims promptly. The DGCA’s probe and media scrutiny increase the likelihood that affected passengers will get answers — and, in many cases, reimbursement — though outcomes vary case by case.

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