DGCA Fines IndiGo Rs 22 Crore, Issues Warning To CEO Over Flight Disruptions
Air travel across India ground to a near standstill in early December 2025, and months later, the fallout has finally arrived. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken firm action against IndiGo, holding the airline responsible for a wave of cancellations and delays that disrupted travel plans for lakhs of passengers.
To understand what triggered the breakdown, the regulator set up a four-member committee to examine planning systems, staffing, software support, and operational controls.
The report also flagged the airline’s failure to properly implement revised Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules. Inadequate crew buffers and roster planning reduced operational flexibility, leading to cascading delays and mass cancellations.
The Senior Vice President of the Operations Control Centre was also warned and directed to be relieved of current operational duties. Other senior officials received warnings for lapses in planning, supervision, manpower allocation, and roster management.
The regulator made it clear that the action is meant to drive long-term improvements and restore passenger confidence in the airline’s operations.
Heavy Penalty And Bank Guarantee
After completing a detailed probe, the aviation regulator imposed a fine of ₹22.20 crore on IndiGo. In a further step to enforce accountability, the airline has been asked to submit a ₹50 crore bank guarantee to the DGCA. The move is aimed at ensuring compliance with corrective measures and preventing similar breakdowns in the future.Scale Of Disruptions Revealed
The DGCA report highlighted the extent of the crisis. Between December 3 and 5, at least 2,507 flights were cancelled while 1,852 flights were delayed. Nearly three lakh passengers were left stranded at airports across the country, facing missed connections, long waits, and a lack of timely information.To understand what triggered the breakdown, the regulator set up a four-member committee to examine planning systems, staffing, software support, and operational controls.
What Went Wrong At IndiGo
The committee identified over-optimisation of operations as a major factor. IndiGo’s push to maximise aircraft and crew usage left minimal buffer to manage disruptions. Gaps in network planning, weak regulatory preparedness, and shortcomings in system software further worsened the situation.The report also flagged the airline’s failure to properly implement revised Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules. Inadequate crew buffers and roster planning reduced operational flexibility, leading to cascading delays and mass cancellations.
Focus On Utilisation Hurt Resilience
Investigators noted that the airline’s strong emphasis on maximising utilisation of aircraft, crew, and network resources compromised roster integrity. This approach significantly weakened operational resilience when unexpected issues emerged.Warnings Issued To Top Leadership
The DGCA issued a formal caution to IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers for insufficient oversight of flight operations and crisis handling. The Accountable Manager and Chief Operating Officer were warned for failing to assess the impact of revised FDTL norms.The Senior Vice President of the Operations Control Centre was also warned and directed to be relieved of current operational duties. Other senior officials received warnings for lapses in planning, supervision, manpower allocation, and roster management.
The regulator made it clear that the action is meant to drive long-term improvements and restore passenger confidence in the airline’s operations.
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