Fear is in the air: Numbers explain Indian passengers' flying anxiety
In 2021, Indigo reported the highest number of technical defects, followed by SpiceJet. This trend continued in 2022, with Indigo leading with 215 cases and SpiceJet following with 143. In 2023, Indigo's defect count rose to 246.However, the trend shifted in 2024. Air India Ltd, which includes both Air India and Air India Express, topped the list with 253 reported cases. Indigo's numbers, in contrast, dropped significantly to just 46. In 2025, Air India remained at the top with 85 technical defect cases reported so far, while Indigo came second with 62. But technical defects are not the only reason for flight cancellations.Reasons for cancellationsWhile technical issues used to be one of the leading causes of flight cancellations, that's no longer the case. In 2023, about 29 per cent of cancellations were due to technical problems. But by 2025, that dropped to 19 per cent.Other factors have since taken the lead. Weather remains a major cause, accounting for 44 per cent of cancellations in 2023 and 35 per cent in 2025. Operational issues such as crew shortages, baggage delays, and scheduling conflicts contribute consistently, making up around 10–12 per cent of cancellations each year. Meanwhile, cancellations due to miscellaneous reasons have risen sharply from 17 per cent in 2023 to 34 per cent in 2025.Complaints from passengersDespite improvements in aircraft maintenance and a decline in technical faults, passenger dissatisfaction hasn't gone away. The number of complaints hit a five-year-high in 2023, when 5,513 grievances were filed. That number came down in 2024 to 4,016, but 2025 has already seen 3,925 complaints in just six months. If the trend continues, the total for this year may again cross the 5,000 mark.In response to growing safety concerns and violations of aviation guidelines, the DGCA has taken enforcement action against several airline companies. In 2023, airlines received 56 warnings, 203 suspensions, and 26 penalties for regulatory breaches. The number of enforcement actions increased significantly in 2024, with 203 warnings, 329 suspensions, and 112 penalties issued. Already this year, the DGCA has already issued 65 warnings, 61 suspensions, and 79 penalties.- EndsTune InMust Watch
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In another post, detailing the 'back story,' Roslin recalled that the family felt the issue was a 'minor' one. 'But just to be safe, we emailed Hong Kong immigration, hoping for clarity. Two weeks passed. There was no clear answer, saying yes, you are good to go, or no, this is not acceptable. We assumed it wouldn't matter much. But at the airport — everything fell apart. We were denied boarding. We tried explaining to the airline staff that there's nothing we could do to change the form or change what's printed on our passports. They understood. They even reached out to immigration on our behalf — both via phone and email — but again, no real-time help came.' However, 'a small light came through'. 'Hong Kong Immigration called us back. They apologised for the confusion and the delay, and kindly offered us a visa valid for 6 months. Cathay Pacific airline also followed up, checking how they could support us post-incident.' Taking a cue from the incident, we reached out to an expert to learn more. Santosh Pawaskar, visa head at R K Vacations, stated that the Hong Kong Immigration Department mandates Indian nationals to complete an online PAR as a prerequisite for visa-free entry for up to 14 days or transit purposes. 'What happens if you don't have barcode/pre-arrival registration is that airlines may refuse to board you for Hong Kong-bound flights. 'Even if you arrive, Hong Kong Immigration may deny entry, forcing you to return to your departure point and endure significant inconvenience,' said Pawaskar. A post shared by Roaz| Travel Blogger|UGC creator (@travelnlifewithroaz) Pawaskar stressed that the PAR for Hong Kong is completed at least 2–3 business days before the travel date to avoid any inconvenience. 'A travel associate makes sure the arrival is safe without any problems. For PAR, the documents required are minimal—just your passport (which should be valid for at least 6 months from your travel date), flight details, accommodation information, and employment details (if applicable).' According to the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's Immigration Department website, 'All family members are required to apply for PAR individually'. Pawaskar said that generally, PAR is rejected due to: 1. Incorrect or Mismatched Passport Details 2. Expired or Near-Expiry Passport 3. Duplicate or Multiple Applications 4. Previous Overstay or Violation in Hong Kong 5. Inconsistent Information 6. Technical/May be server issue A post shared by Roaz| Travel Blogger|UGC creator (@travelnlifewithroaz) What can help? One of the comments said, 'This is such an important reminder'. 'If the HKPAR dropdown doesn't have the exact 'Place of Issue' from your passport, it's safest to skip PAR and apply for a proper visa. The system is automated, and any mismatch — even if it's not your fault — can lead to denied boarding. More awareness is definitely needed!' Agreeing, Pawaskar said that 99 per cent of the time, the issue can be resolved by quickly applying for a visa, which incurs an additional fee. What to do if your PAR is rejected? *Check the rejection reason to understand why your application was denied. *If the issue is minor, correct the error and submit a new application. *Apply for a formal Hong Kong Visit Visa if you plan to stay longer than 14 days. Tips for a smooth PAR application *Even though PAR is instant, apply a few days before your trip to avoid last-minute hassles. * Ensure all information matches your passport and travel plans. *Always carry a printed and signed copy of your PAR slip. DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to
