New Delhi, Dec 11: Limping back to normalcy, IndiGo on Thursday offered travel vouchers worth Rs 10,000 to customers who were severely impacted during the flight disruption earlier this month.

The airline “regrettably acknowledged” that several people travelling between December 3 and 5 were stranded for many hours at major airports nationwide. The crisis caused thousands of cancellations and delays, keeping passengers in long queues.

“We will offer travel vouchers worth Rs 10,000 to such severely impacted customers. These travel vouchers can be used for any future IndiGo journey for the next 12 months,” an IndiGo spokesperson said in a statement.

The compensation is in addition to the commitment under the existing government guidelines, as per which, IndiGo will provide compensation of Rs 5000 to Rs 10,000, depending on the block time of the flight, to those customers whose flights were cancelled within 24 hours of departure time.

IndiGo also noted that “all necessary refunds for cancelled flights have been initiated”, including bookings through a travel partner platform.

The airline said that it is “committed” to restoring a “safe, smooth, and reliable” experience.

Earlier in the day, IndiGo Chairman Vikram Singh Mehta said that the airline’s Board will bring in external technical experts to work with the management and identify the root causes behind last week’s massive flight disruptions.

He said the experts will help ensure that such large-scale operational failures never happen again.

Meanwhile, the company stated that all destinations in the airline’s network have been fully connected since December 8, and operations have stabilised since December 9.

On December 8, it flew more than 1,750 flights with just one same-day cancellation, and on December 9, it had over 1,800 flights and zero cancellations. Over 1,900 flights took off on December 10, while just two were cancelled on the same day.

On Thursday, IndiGo said it expects “to operate more than 1,950 flights with approximately 300,000 customers”.

Thane: Four persons allegedly entered the house of a 26-year-old real estate developer in Navi Mumbai while he was abroad and stole a gold chain valued at Rs 13 lakh, police said on Thursday.

Based on the victim’s complaint, the police have registered a case against his driver, bodyguard, house help and former driver, they said.

The man and his mother, residents of Kharghar in Navi Mumbai, went to Bali, Indonesia, on November 30 and returned on December 7.

After returning, he found his gold chain, weighing 109.7 gm and valued at Rs 13.2 lakh, missing from his drawer.

An analysis of the CCTV footage of the residence showed the presence of four suspects in his bedroom during his absence, an official from Kharghar police station said.

Based on his complaint, the police on Tuesday registered a case against the four suspects under section 306 (theft by clerk or servant of property in possession of master) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and were probing it, he added.

Football superstar Lionel Messi is set to arrive in India for the much-talked-about GOAT Tour, causing an electric wave of anticipation among his Indian fanbase. The Argentine icon will be in the country from December 13 to 15, travelling across Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi as part of his packed three-day schedule. His itinerary reportedly includes interactive sessions, appearances at special events, and a high-profile meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the capital.

As part of his Mumbai stop, the city has planned a striking artistic surprise. Celebrated Mumbai graffiti artist Mooz has created a massive 80-foot mural of Messi on the side of a building, turning the neighbourhood into a visual celebration of the football legend. Mooz shared a behind-the-scenes video on Instagram, expressing disbelief and gratitude for the opportunity.

The artist, known for his vibrant street art and collaborations with the Indian Cricket Team and comedian Samay Raina, has once again captured hearts with this towering piece. Social media users flooded his post with admiration, calling the artwork “insane” and praising his unmatched editing and graffiti skills.

Adding more glamour to his Mumbai schedule, Messi is also expected to appear at a charity fashion event, where he will reportedly walk the ramp alongside Indian and international personalities. The event aims to raise funds for youth sports programs and community initiatives.

Messi’s India visit has created unprecedented excitement, with fans across social platforms sharing edits, countdown videos, and travel plans to catch a glimpse of the 2022 World Cup champion. Event organisers expect massive footfall in all four cities, especially Kolkata, a football-obsessed hub that has historically welcomed global football legends.

Messi’s tour is being hailed as one of the most significant football events in India. From artistic tributes to high-energy fan gatherings, cities are gearing up to celebrate the arrival of one of the greatest players in football history.