The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a show cause notice to IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers after the airline suffered a week long operational breakdown that led to hundreds of flight cancellations across the country. The regulator said the disruptions caused widespread inconvenience and hardship to passengers and highlighted serious deficiencies in the airline’s planning and preparedness.
What Triggered the Notice
According to the DGCA, IndiGo failed to put in place the necessary arrangements to comply with the revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) rules that recently came into effect. The regulator pointed to inadequate crew roster planning, poor resource management and insufficient staffing as key reasons behind the collapse in operations.
The notice also stated that IndiGo did not properly fulfil its obligations towards passengers. Many travellers reportedly faced delays, insufficient information, lack of assistance and difficulties in obtaining refunds and baggage all of which violate Civil Aviation Requirements.
What the DGCA Has Asked
The IndiGo CEO has been given 24 hours to explain why enforcement action should not be taken against the airline under aviation rules. If the response is unsatisfactory, the regulator may impose penalties restrictions or other corrective measures.
Impact on Passengers and Government Response
The disruption affected thousands of passengers across major airports, forcing the government to intervene. Authorities temporarily capped airfares on several domestic routes and directed IndiGo to speed up refunds and streamline baggage handling for affected fliers.
The DGCA has also set up a committee to investigate the root causes behind the airline’s breakdown, including its compliance with crew duty norms and overall operational preparedness.
