Last Updated:December 06, 2025, 13:56 IST

IndiGo faces massive flight cancellations despite DGCA rollback, affecting thousands. Experts like advise on travel insurance claims and proper documentation.

There seems to be no end to the mayhem of IndiGo’s operational meltdown as hundreds of flights have been cancelled on Saturday. The chaos has continued despite the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) rolling back the Flight Duty Time Limitations orders, which were the lead cause to disrupt the capability of carriers to maintain regular operation.

Thousands of passengers, from students to senior citizens to professionals, have been affected in the past few days during the flight cancellations, disrupting their plans and schedules. Along with that, they have to face monetary losses too.

Travel insurance is one such option that travelers can use while facing this kind of situation. Not many of people in India are aware of how a travel insurance works and whether all plans cover flight cancellation costs.

Meet Kapadia, Head of Travel Insurance at Policybazaar.com said that travel Insurance offers fixed pay outs if the traveller is stranded for a specified number of hours (6–12 hours).

“They also reimburse the cost if the flight is cancelled and traveller has to book a new flight, or arrange hotel stay, cover meals, essentials, and other emergency purchase,” Kapadia added.

Customers, however, should know that a very low-priced/ basic product of travel insurance may not pay for non-medical losses from an airline operational cancellation unless that benefit is purchased, according to Chetan Vasudeva, Senior Vice President – Business Development at Elephant.in, Alliance Insurance Brokers.

“No – basic plans may not fully cover losses from airline operational problems unless the policy explicitly includes or has an option for trip cancellation / carrier cancellation, trip interruption, missed-connection or trip-delay benefits,” Vasudeva added.

He further told that many standard travel policies include only basic medical, baggage and emergency assistance by default. “If you want protection specifically against airline operational issues, check for carrier cancellation/trip cancellation/missed-connection or buy a cancel-for-any-reason add-on cover.”

Beyond the financial safety net , the insurer also provides 24×7 assistance and emergency support to help passengers manage disruption with less stress in unfamiliar locations.

What Should Customers Need To Do To Get Claims?

The first 24 hours after a flight cancellation are crucial for building a strong claim file.

The policyholder should immediately need to obtain written proof from the airline such as an email, SMS, or a formal flight disruption certificate, that clearly state the due cause and timing of the cancellation, explained Vasudeva. “At the same time, this is when policyholder should inform their insurance provider’s helpline immediately after the disruption; quick intimation is often listed as a mandatory requirement in most policies,” he added.

During this period, every incidental expense such as food, hotel stays, transport, or rebooking, should be supported with itemized receipts and payment proofs. If the airline offers alternative arrangements like meal vouchers or free accommodation, passengers need to preserve those records as well, because insurers cross-verify what has already been compensated.

Careful documentation in the first 24 hours substantially reduces the chances of queries, delays, or rejection during the processing of claims, Vasudeva stated.

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People struggling with high heating bills and other cost-of-living pressures are being encouraged to use a series of “Warm Welcome” spaces this winter.

More than 20 places across North Tyneside, including community hubs, libraries and churches, are taking part in the scheme, which also sees free food and drink offered alongside a range of activities.

The Meadows community centre in North Shields is among them, with sessions each Thursday from noon until 14:30 GMT.

Support worker Jen Buchanan says it means help is available at a time of year when it is badly needed.

“There are no boundaries – everybody is welcome. That’s the message we try to get out there.

“They can have something hot to eat, make new friends or even just charge their phones and iPads.

“We also run craft sessions to encourage more people to come and that helps take away any stigma people might have about coming in for food.

“More and people are coming along, which really shows the importance of schemes like this.”

The hubs can also serve as a way to direct people towards long-term help, Ms Buchanan says, for issues such as struggling to pay heating bills, income support or gaining work skills.

“We have a crisis fund for emergencies and can help get someone gas and electric, or refer them to support groups for longer-term problems.

“We’ve even bought someone new shoes because they were walking around wet.”

The scheme is being funded through North Tyneside Council’s Household Support Fund, which the authority says is part of a range of measures aimed at helping people in the area with cost-of-living pressures.

A list of the venues taking part can be found on the authority’s website.

Last Updated:December 06, 2025, 09:34 IST

At 5.25%, India’s policy rate is higher than the US, UK and Eurozone but far below Brazil and Russia, which still run double-digit rates to fight inflation pressures.

India’s Central bank has shifted gears to support the economic momentum and ease lending with a rate cut of 25 basis points in the latest Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting between December 3 to 5. The latest lending benchmark – repo rate – stood at 5.25 per cent after Friday’s 25 bps cut from 5.50 per cent.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) governor, Sanjay Malhotra, in his speech on Friday, termed the current economic situation as ‘rare goldilocks period’, stating that inflation is at a benign 2.2 per cent and growth at 8.0 per cent in H1:2025-26.

The standing deposit facility (SDF) rate under the liquidity adjustment facility (LAF) now adjusted to 5.00 per cent and the marginal standing facility (MSF) rate and the Bank Rate to 5.50 per cent. The MPC also decided to continue with the neutral stance.

The repo rate is the interest rate at which banks borrow money from the RBI. When banks face a shortage of cash, they borrow from the RBI by pledging government bonds. The interest the RBI charges on this borrowing is known as the repo rate. If the RBI raises the repo rate, borrowing becomes costlier for banks. If it lowers the rate, banks can access funds more cheaply.

The policy rate is a critical monetary tool utilised by the banks to control money flow into the economy. The Central banks of different countries seek to strike a balance to keep the economic growth momentum and stop inflation from getting out of control.

Comparison of Different Policy Rates As Of Now In Major Economies:

India’s policy rate stood in align with the developed economies such as USA and UK, while a way too below in comparison to BRICS countries. For instance, Brazil and Russia’s policy rates are in the double digit – 15% and 16.50% respectively, due to run away inflation.

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