DGCA Intensifies Probe as IndiGo Flight Cancellations Stretch Into Tenth Day

IndiGo’s operational crisis has entered its tenth consecutive day. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has summoned CEO Pieter Elbers for a second time. A four-member committee will question him again on Friday. Thousands of flights remain cancelled nationwide.

The airline failed to adapt to new pilot duty norms. This led to massive disruptions. The DGCA is now monitoring their operations closely from the corporate office.

Regulatory Scrutiny and Daily Monitoring Enforced

The DGCA formed a special panel last week. It includes senior flight safety inspectors. According to PTI, their mandate is to identify root causes. They will assess manpower planning and rostering systems.

The panel will also review preparedness for new duty rules. These rules took effect on November 1. The airline’s planning lapses are under the microscope.

Officials are now stationed at IndiGo’s headquarters. They will submit daily reports on cancellations and refunds. Senior officials will also conduct on-site inspections at 11 major airports. These reports must be submitted within 24 hours.

Broader Impact and Passenger Fallout

The scale of disruption has been significant. IndiGo cancelled a record 1,600 flights in a single day last week. While a partial recovery began this week, cancellations persist. For example, 60 flights were cancelled from Bengaluru airport on Thursday alone.

Passengers have faced major inconveniences. They deal with last-minute cancellations and stranded baggage. The DGCA is specifically monitoring compensation and refund statuses. This ensures the airline follows legal requirements for affected flyers.

The situation highlights systemic planning failures. Industry experts note the challenge of adapting to new safety regulations. The outcome of this probe could lead to stricter oversight for all airlines.

The ongoing DGCA investigation into IndiGo flight cancellations represents a significant regulatory action. Its findings may reshape operational planning standards across Indian aviation, prioritizing passenger safety and reliability.

Thought you’d like to know

Why are so many IndiGo flights being cancelled?

The cancellations stem from a failure to properly plan for new pilot duty and rest norms. This led to a severe shortage of compliant crew, forcing the airline to ground hundreds of flights daily to meet safety rules.

How many flights have been cancelled in total?

While an exact total is dynamic, the disruption peaked with 1,600 cancellations in one day. Cancellations have continued for over ten days, affecting tens of thousands of passengers across India’s busiest routes.

What should affected passengers do?

Passengers are entitled to a full refund or alternate travel arrangements. The DGCA is now monitoring IndiGo’s refund process. Travelers should contact the airline directly or their booking agent for resolution.

Will IndiGo operations return to normal soon?

The airline has shown a partial recovery this week. A full return to normal schedules depends on resolving crew rostering issues and passing the DGCA’s ongoing scrutiny, which may take several more days.

What is the DGCA committee specifically investigating?

The four-member panel is probing IndiGo’s manpower planning, rostering systems, and preparedness for the new duty norms. Their goal is to pinpoint the exact operational failures that caused the crisis.