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India’s aviation industry is under scrutiny over the massive disruption caused by IndiGo since last week. It has stranded thousands of passengers across the country. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken action against both the airline and regulators responsible for oversight, and is intensifying scrutiny on operational failures that led to the chaos.
According to sources, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has suspended four Flight Operations Inspectors (FOIs) who were assigned to observe IndiGo's safety and operational adherence.
The inquiry found that the inspectors not only missed the signs but also did not take any action when the crew shortage problem was in its early stages, causing widespread cancellations.
The issue escalated as Phase II of the revised Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules came into effect at the end of November 2025.
These updated norms, which required pilots to receive longer rest hours to minimise fatigue, significantly reduced IndiGo’s available crew roster.
The airline, according to officials, did not assess the impact accurately and failed to anticipate how sharply the new guidelines would strain operations.
The DGCA has imposed a Rs. 58.75 crore penalty on IndiGo, reported Reuters. This financial action underscores growing regulatory concern over the airline’s unpreparedness.
The government agencies are implementing measures to reduce the impact on passengers, but the situation in airports all over India continues to witness delays and disruptions. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered IndiGo to hire additional pilots as a precaution against such crises.
In response, the airline has applied for a temporary waiver of some FDTL regulations up to February 10, 2026, coinciding with the period when it anticipates receiving the new Airbus A320 aircraft.
The DGCA designates Flight Operations Inspectors as its representatives to watch the specific airlines. Their duties include the continuous checking of an airline's crew adequacy, proper operational procedure, and resource sufficiency for safety and compliance requirements.
The DGCA has intensified its monitoring of IndiGo by stationing officials at the airline’s offices and requiring daily operational reports. A four-member inquiry committee, consisting of senior DGCA officials, including Joint DG Sanjay Brahamane and Deputy DG Amit Gupta, has been assigned to investigate the matter.
IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers appeared before the regulator on Thursday and will face additional questioning.
In its preliminary statement, IndiGo said the disruption arose from a combination of minor technical glitches, winter schedule changes, adverse weather conditions, increased congestion in the aviation system, and the operational impact of transitioning to updated crew rostering rules.
Also Read: How to Get a Refund if Your IndiGo Flight is Cancelled: Simple, Fast Steps
IndiGo has announced that passengers affected between December 3 and 5 will receive Rs. 10,000 travel vouchers, valid for a year. This compensation is offered in addition to earlier payments of Rs. 5,000 and Rs. 10,000 for last-minute cancellations.
Meanwhile, a petition has been filed against InterGlobe Aviation, IndiGo’s parent company, challenging the airline’s handling of the situation. IndiGo has stated that it is preparing an appropriate response.
