DGCA panel submits confidential report on IndiGo flight disruptions

A four-member enquiry committee set up by India’s aviation regulator has submitted its report on the large-scale flight disruptions faced by IndiGo in November. Sources have claimed that the report has been handed over to the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for further review.

The committee was formed after IndiGo experienced widespread flight cancellations and delays following the phased implementation of revised Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules, which define how long pilots and cabin crew can work.

The enquiry committee was headed by DGCA Joint Director General Sanjay K. Bramhane. Other members included Amit Gupta, Deputy Director General, DGCA, Captain Kapil Manglik, Senior Flight Operations Inspector and Captain Lokesh Rampal, Flight Operations Inspector.

Copies of the report have also been shared with Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu and Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha. The report is currently confidential and its detailed findings have not yet been made public.

In November, IndiGo faced massive operational disruptions after Phase-II of the new FDTL rules came into effect on November 1. During the peak of the crisis, the airline reportedly cancelled between 170 and 200 flights daily, causing inconvenience to thousands of passengers across India.

DGCA noted that IndiGo’s cancellations were significantly higher than those of other airlines during the same period.

According to the regulator, airlines were repeatedly advised in advance to prepare for the new duty rules by properly planning manpower requirements, training crew on time and adjusting flight rosters and schedules.

However, DGCA observed that IndiGo failed to accurately estimate crew availability, complete timely training, and realign its schedules. These gaps led to cascading delays and widespread cancellations across the airline’s network.

During review meetings, IndiGo reportedly acknowledged that it had underestimated the number of crew required under the revised rules and that major planning gaps existed.

Following the disruptions, DGCA directed IndiGo to reduce its winter flight schedule by 10 per cent. It also issued show-cause notices to the airline’s CEO Pieter Elbers and COO Isidro Porqueras.

The enquiry committee was asked to identify the root causes of the breakdown, examine accountability, review compliance gaps and assess whether the airline took adequate steps to restore normal operations. It was also required to evaluate temporary relief measures granted by the regulator.

With the report now submitted, further regulatory action may follow after the authorities complete their review.