India's aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has granted a crucial 24-hour extension to IndiGo's top executives to respond to show-cause notices issued over widespread flight disruptions that have crippled the airline's operations this week. The notices were served on Saturday to CEO Pieter Elbers and Chief Operating Officer Isidre Porqueras.
Regulatory Deadline Extended Amid Operational Crisis
Elbers and Porqueras, who were initially required to respond immediately, formally requested the DGCA for more time on Sunday. They cited the scale of IndiGo's network and the multitude of factors behind the disruptions as reasons for needing a detailed assessment. The regulator has granted a one-time extension until 6 pm on Monday, December 8, 2025, but has made it clear that no further extensions will be allowed.
A senior official stated that the DGCA has warned that failure to submit a comprehensive reply within the new deadline will result in the regulator proceeding ex-parte, based on available records. This indicates the seriousness with which the authorities are treating the issue.
What the DGCA Notices Allege
The show-cause notices point to significant failures by the country's largest airline. According to sources, the DGCA has stated that the large-scale operational failures indicate lapses in planning, oversight, and resource management. The notices prima facie suggest non-compliance with provisions of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, and the new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms.
Furthermore, the regulator has accused IndiGo of failing to provide affected passengers with proper information and mandatory facilities during the delays and cancellations. The notice to CEO Elbers reportedly states that, as the accountable head, he failed in his duty to ensure reliable operations and requisite passenger facilities.
A Slow Return to Normalcy and Mounting Pressure
While under the regulatory scanner, IndiGo is attempting to stabilise its operations. On Sunday, the airline operated approximately 1,650 of its over 2,300 scheduled flights, with an on-time performance (OTP) of around 75%. This marks an improvement from Saturday's OTP of 20.7% and Friday's dismal 3.7%.
The airline has expressed growing confidence that it will achieve network stabilisation by December 10, revising its earlier timeline of December 10-15. By Sunday evening, the Ministry of Civil Aviation reported that IndiGo had processed refunds worth Rs 610 crore to passengers impacted by the chaos.
In a message to staff, CEO Elbers acknowledged the crisis, stating the carrier, which commands over 60% of the domestic market, is getting back on track step by step. The root cause has been identified as acute crew shortages due to improper planning for the new FDTL rules, with the airline admitting it misjudged the actual crew requirement.
The DGCA has set up a four-member inquiry committee, which has two weeks to submit its report. Sources indicate that stringent action against the airline and its top executives is likely based on the findings. A parliamentary panel is also expected to summon IndiGo officials to explain the massive disruption that left thousands of passengers stranded across India.
