New Delhi (IANS) The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Sunday issued a show-cause notice to IndiGo’s accountable manager, just a day after sending a similar notice to the airline’s CEO, Pieter Elbers.
The aviation regulator said that IndiGo’s recent wave of mass flight cancellations has caused serious inconvenience and distress to passengers across the country. According to the DGCA, the main reason behind the disruptions is the airline’s failure to make proper arrangements for the smooth rollout of the revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) rules.
These rules, which regulate the duty hours and rest periods of flight crew, came into effect recently and have led to major operational challenges for IndiGo. In the notice, the regulator said that IndiGo’s “large-scale operation failures” point to significant lapses in planning, oversight, and resource management.
DGCA added that the airline appears to have violated Rule 42A of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, as well as several provisions of the Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) related to duty periods, flight time limitations, and mandatory rest for crew members.
The DGCA also stated that IndiGo did not offer passengers the required assistance and facilities during the cancellations, despite rules that mandate airlines to provide support in cases of flight delays, cancellations, or denied boarding.
The accountable manager has been asked to explain within 24 hours why enforcement action should not be taken for these violations. The DGCA warned that if IndiGo fails to respond on time, it will take a decision based on the available information. This notice follows earlier actions taken by the regulator, including show-cause notices to IndiGo’s CEO and other senior officials.
IndiGo said on Sunday that it plans to operate 1,500 flights and has restored 95 per cent of its route network. However, despite these claims, more than 220 flights had been cancelled across major airports, adding to the chaos faced by passengers over the past week. The airline also stated that refunds are being processed smoothly.
In a fresh statement, IndiGo said it has taken multiple steps over the last two days to stabilise its network. “Following the recent operational disruptions, IndiGo confirms that we are establishing further significant and sustained improvements across our network,” the airline stated. The airline reported a significant jump in its On-Time Performance (OTP), which improved to 75 per cent today compared to nearly 30 per cent recorded a day earlier. It added that cancellations are now being made at an earlier stage, enabling the airline to alert passengers well in advance.
“We are grateful for the patience, trust, and understanding shown by our customers and the tireless efforts of our employees and partners. We continue to work closely with all authorities and stakeholders to ensure a swift return to full normalcy,” an IndiGo spokesperson stated.
