NEW DELHI, Dec 10: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is tightening oversight of IndiGo following widespread operational disruptions, including thousands of flight cancellations across India.
As part of the measures, DGCA has formed an oversight team of eight senior captains and two government officials, with two captains and two officials stationed at IndiGo’s Gurgaon headquarters.
Their task is to monitor cancellations, crew deployment, unplanned leaves, and routes affected by staff shortages, submitting daily reports to the regulator.
IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers has been summoned to appear at DGCA on Thursday to submit detailed data on operational disruptions, including flight restoration plans, pilot and crew recruitment, cancellation numbers, refunds processed, and compensation to passengers.
The regulator has also directed immediate on-site inspections of the airline’s operations at 11 domestic airports, with reports due to DGCA within 24 hours of visits.
The intervention follows IndiGo’s massive cancellations, which peaked on December 5, affecting tens of thousands of passengers nationwide.
Despite claiming that operations have stabilized, nearly 220 flights were still canceled at major airports, including Delhi and Mumbai.
The airline, operating over 2,200 flights per day under its 2025-26 winter schedule, has had its schedule reduced by 10% by the government to align with available pilot capacity.
The DGCA’s oversight includes monitoring fleet utilization, crew hours, standby crew availability, and compensation and baggage return processes.
A four-member panel has been constituted to probe operational lapses. Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu has emphasized aligning flight schedules with pilot availability, following disruptions caused by tighter safety regulations, including mandatory weekly rest periods and limitations on night-duty operations.
The Delhi High Court has criticized the government for delayed action in addressing the crisis, asking why it was allowed to escalate.
The court directed authorities and IndiGo to ensure adequate passenger compensation and submit a sealed report of inquiries by January 22, 2025.
IndiGo’s operational model, which relied on aggressive scheduling and maximized night-flight utilization, was disrupted by new safety regulations, causing widespread cancellations, reduced on-time performance, and passenger chaos at major airports.
DGCA’s intensified scrutiny aims to prevent further disruptions, safeguard passenger interests, and ensure the airline aligns operations with regulatory requirements and crew capacity.
Overall, the regulator’s actions reflect a significant intervention in India’s largest airline to restore operational stability, protect passengers, and enforce stricter compliance with safety and scheduling rules. (PTI)
