India's aviation regulator has granted a brief, one-time extension to the top executives of IndiGo to formally respond to serious allegations concerning widespread flight disruptions. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had issued show-cause notices to the airline's CEO and Chief Operating Officer over the weekend.
Deadline Extended After Airline's Request
The DGCA had initially given IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers and COO Isidre Porqueras, who also serves as the airline's accountable manager, just 24 hours to reply to the notices issued on Saturday. However, on Sunday, the two executives requested more time, citing the massive scale of IndiGo's operations and the complex factors behind the operational meltdown.
They sought an extension until 6 pm on Monday, December 8. After considering their plea, the regulator agreed to the one-time 24-hour extension. An official stated that the DGCA has set a strict deadline of 6 pm on Monday and made it clear that no further extensions will be allowed.
Regulator Issues Stern Warning
The DGCA accompanied its deadline extension with a strong caution. The authority warned that failure to submit a complete and comprehensive reply by the new deadline will result in the regulator proceeding ex-parte. This means the DGCA will make a decision based solely on the evidence and records it already has, without further input from the airline.
Officials confirmed that the regulator is closely monitoring the situation and remains focused on ensuring passenger safety, regulatory compliance, and the swift return to normal flight schedules.
The Core Allegations and Potential Consequences
The show-cause notice identifies a critical failure as the primary reason for the disruptions: a lack of preparation for new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules that took effect on November 1, 2025. The notice alleges lapses in planning, oversight, and resource management related to this implementation, which constitute a violation of regulations.
Beyond operational planning failures, the DGCA notice accuses IndiGo of failing in its duties towards passengers. The regulator states the airline did not provide required information to passengers about cancellations nor did it offer the mandatory facilities owed to them during such delays and cancellations.
The notice directly holds the CEO and accountable manager responsible, stating, "Such large-scale operational failures indicate significant lapses... and is prima facie non-compliance on the part of the airline." It further asserts that the executives failed in their duty to ensure reliable operations and passenger facilities.
The position of accountable manager, held by Isidre Porqueras, is approved by the DGCA. In a significant escalation, if the regulator is dissatisfied with the response, it holds the power to withdraw this approval. This would force IndiGo to appoint a new person to this legally mandatory position, a move that would signal a severe breakdown in regulatory confidence.
