DGCA summons IndiGo CEO again as flight disruptions continue

India's aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has summoned IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers for a second round of questioning on Friday as the airline continues to grapple with widespread operational disruptions and mass flight cancellations. 

According to sources, a four-member DGCA committee will question Elbers again. He had already appeared before the regulator on Thursday. The panel was set up last week to investigate the root causes behind the disruptions that have affected tens of thousands of passengers across India.

The special committee comprises of joint director general Sanjay Brahamane, deputy director general Amit Gupta, senior flight operations inspector Kapil Manglik and flight operations inspector Lokesh Rampal.

Their mandate is to review the airline’s crew planning, rostering system, and its preparedness for the new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL), pilot duty and rest rules that came into effect on November 1, 2025.

The regulator believes that poor internal planning and failure to adjust crew schedules in line with the new norms triggered the massive wave of cancellations.

In a regulatory filing, IndiGo confirmed that its CEO has been asked to appear before the DGCA’s Committee of Officers on December 12 to provide data, reports, and updates related to the disruptions.

The regulator has also ordered immediate inspections at 11 major domestic airports. Senior DGCA officers will visit these airports over the next 2–3 days to check ground operations, staffing levels, crew reporting patterns, and the impact of shortages on flight schedules.

Each officer must submit a comprehensive report within 24 hours of completing their inspection.

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has directed IndiGo to issue prompt refunds to affected passengers and ensure transparent communication. The government has warned the airline against repeat failures and has stressed that operational stability must be restored immediately.

The regulator’s ongoing investigation and daily supervision reflect the seriousness of the crisis, which has impacted holiday travel, business plans, weddings, and emergency trips for thousands across the country.