Indian Firms Scale Back Travel and In-Person Meetings Amid IndiGo Flight Disruptions

Travel uncertainty has prompted several Indian companies to delay in-person meetings, cancel non-essential trips, and move planned conferences online this week. 

The disruption follows the mass cancellation of flights by IndiGo, the country’s largest airline, leaving businesses wary despite the carrier’s reassurance that operations have stabilised. 

IndiGo CEO Peter Elbers said over 1,800 flights were successfully operated on Tuesday, but concerns remain as organisations adopt a wait-and-watch approach.

Shift Toward Virtual Meetings and Restricted Travel

Hospitality industry insiders noted an uptick in cancellations but emphasised that the impact may be temporary in what is typically a strong quarter for travel and events. 

Aditya Mishra, CEO of CIEL HR Services, said the disruptions have forced firms to prioritise employee comfort and operational continuity. Many organisations are moving meetings online and approving only essential trips. To minimise inconvenience, firms are instructing employees to build longer buffer times into itineraries and remain flexible about travel arrangements.

Hospitality Sector Faces Temporary Impact

The hotel industry is already seeing the impact of disrupted travel patterns. Sarovar Hotels anticipates a 5% dip in quarterly revenue due to cancellations, with CEO Jatin Khanna reporting nearly 1,600 room nights cancelled last week. 

However, the chain managed to recover about 500 room nights through extended stays. While occupancy levels mirror last year’s performance, the inability to raise room rates as planned is dampening revenue expectations.

Royal Orchid Hotels MD Chander K Baljee echoed concerns about travel unpredictability. He shared that he personally cancelled upcoming travel plans to avoid potential delays and airport congestion. He stated, “I was planning to travel this month, but I have cancelled my trip as I don't want to get stuck at airports because of potential delays.”

Also Read: IndiGo Share Price in Focus as Moody’s Flags Revenue Risks Amid Flight Disruptions!

Conclusion

With airlines still stabilising operations, businesses are prioritising caution, reducing travel commitments, and leaning on virtual collaboration to maintain continuity. Although the hospitality sector faces short-term strain, the impact is expected to ease as flight schedules normalise and corporate travel confidence returns.

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