Parliamentary panel finds IndiGo, DGCA responses ‘unconvincing’ over mass flight disruptions

A parliamentary committee examining the recent large-scale flight disruptions in India has expressed dissatisfaction with the explanations given by IndiGo and the aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), according to sources familiar with the proceedings.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture, chaired by JD(U) MP Sanjay Jha, questioned senior officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the DGCA, and IndiGo over the airline’s widespread flight cancellations earlier this month that left thousands of passengers stranded across airports in the country.

However, the committee did not fix responsibility during the meeting and decided to wait for the findings of an ongoing investigation ordered by the Civil Aviation Ministry before drawing any conclusions.

During the nearly four-hour-long meeting held late Wednesday, several members of Parliament raised concerns over whether the aviation ecosystem was adequately prepared for the implementation of the revised Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms.

Some MPs questioned whether the ministry underestimated the operational impact of the new rules or whether IndiGo used the disruptions as pressure to seek exemptions from the revised duty norms. According to sources, these concerns remained largely unanswered.

The explanations offered by representatives of IndiGo and the DGCA were described as “evasive and unconvincing,” with officials reportedly attributing the disruptions to technical issues rather than accepting direct responsibility.

The committee decided to defer any conclusions until the Civil Aviation Ministry’s four-member inquiry committee submits its report, which is expected by December 28.

The inquiry is reviewing the circumstances that led to the mass cancellations and operational breakdowns that began around December 2, when IndiGo cancelled hundreds of flights over several days.

IndiGo was represented by a team led by its Chief Operating Officer Isidro Porqueras, while the Ministry of Civil Aviation and DGCA were represented by Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha. Representatives from other airlines, including Air India, Air India Express, Akasa Air and SpiceJet, also attended the meeting.

Members of the parliamentary panel said they took serious note of the hardship faced by passengers due to the disruptions. Many travellers were left stranded at airports while others faced long delays and sudden cancellations.

Several MPs said even parliamentarians travelling to New Delhi for the Winter Session were affected by the cancellations and delays. Complaints were also raised about sharp increases in airfares during the period of disruption.

Following the incident, the DGCA issued show-cause notices to IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers and COO Isidro Porqueras, seeking explanations for the large-scale operational failures. In response, IndiGo said its parent company, InterGlobe Aviation, has set up a Crisis Management Group to closely monitor the situation.

The airline stated that its board is taking steps to address customer concerns and ensure refunds for affected passengers.

The parliamentary panel is expected to revisit the matter once the ministry’s inquiry report is submitted, after which responsibility for the disruptions may be determined.