The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken strict action against IndiGo, India's largest airline, following days of massive flight disruptions that left thousands of passengers stranded. The aviation regulator issued a show-cause notice to IndiGo's Chief Executive Officer, Pieter Elbers, on Saturday, holding the airline's top management directly accountable for the operational breakdown.
Regulator Points to "Significant Lapses"
In the notice, the DGCA accused IndiGo of "significant lapses in planning, oversight and resource management." The primary cause of the chaos, as identified by the regulator, was the airline's failure to make adequate arrangements to meet revised crew duty time rules. The newly implemented Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms, issued by the DGCA last year, led to a sudden shortage of available pilots and cabin crew, crippling operations.
The notice directed Elbers to respond within 24 hours, explaining why enforcement action should not be initiated against the carrier under the Aircraft Rules and Civil Aviation Requirements. Failure to reply would allow the DGCA to decide the matter ex parte.
Scale of the Disruption
The operational meltdown resulted in the cancellation and delay of hundreds of IndiGo flights across major Indian airports over the past week. Data from Saturday revealed the extent of the crisis:
- Delhi Airport: 86 flights cancelled (37 departures, 49 arrivals).
- Hyderabad Airport: 69 planned cancellations (43 departures, 26 arrivals).
- Kolkata Airport: 41 flights cancelled (20 departures, 21 arrivals).
- Ahmedabad Airport: 59 flights listed under planned cancellations.
The DGCA also cited failures in passenger care, noting that IndiGo did not provide mandated information or facilities to affected travellers, violating rules on passenger rights.
CEO's Response and Background
Facing intense scrutiny, Pieter Elbers, a Dutch airline executive with over 30 years of experience, issued a public apology on Sunday. IndiGo stated it was on its way to operating over 1,500 flights by the end of the day and had re-established over 95% of its network connectivity.
Elbers, who joined IndiGo as CEO in 2022, was previously the President and CEO of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines for eight years. He currently serves as the Chair of the IATA Board of Governors, a position he was elected to in June 2024.
The airline's statement on social media platform X expressed regret and a commitment to rebuilding customer trust, thanking government agencies and staff for their support during the crisis. However, the DGCA's notice indicates that regulatory consequences may still follow, depending on the adequacy of the airline's official response.
