DGCA pulls up IndiGo over dangerous goods handling lapses after cargo spillage audit

India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a warning letter to IndiGo after finding lapses in the handling and transportation of dangerous goods. The action follows a cargo spillage incident that was detected after one of the airline's flights landed, along with findings from a subsequent regulatory audit. In a regulatory filing to the stock exchanges on Friday, IndiGo confirmed that it had received the warning letter from the DGCA on July 8. The airline said the issue does not have any significant impact on its financial position, operations or overall business activities.

What triggered the warning?

According to the DGCA, the warning comes after a special audit of IndiGo's engineering stores facility in Delhi. During the inspection, the regulator found several instances where the airline had not fully complied with the provisions of the Aircraft (Carriage of Dangerous Goods) Rules, 2026.

The audit focused on the transportation of Company Material (COMAT) that is classified as dangerous goods and carried on the airline's own aircraft. These materials can include items such as chemicals, batteries, flammable products or other substances that require strict handling and documentation.

The regulator said the investigation was linked to a cargo spillage reported in January 2026, when dangerous goods were found to have spilled on the ground after a flight arrived. The subsequent audit identified deviations from the airline's standard operating procedures (SOPs).

DGCA calls for stronger training

Following the audit, the DGCA has directed IndiGo to improve its dangerous goods handling programme by making training more practical and scenario-based. The regulator has also instructed the airline to conduct recurrent training for all employees involved in handling dangerous goods at Delhi airport.

In addition, IndiGo has been asked to strengthen its Continuous Competency Assessment (CCA) system to ensure employees maintain the required operational standards. The airline must submit an action taken report to the DGCA within 30 days outlining the corrective measures it has implemented.

Safety compliance under focus

The incident once again highlights the critical importance of complying with dangerous goods regulations in aviation. International and Indian aviation rules require airlines to follow stringent procedures while transporting hazardous materials, as even minor lapses can pose safety risks to aircraft, crew and ground personnel.

Although the DGCA has not imposed any financial penalty in this case, the warning reflects the regulator's increasing emphasis on proactive safety oversight and operational compliance across the aviation sector.

IndiGo responds

IndiGo said it is taking the regulator's observations seriously and will submit the required action taken report within the stipulated timeline. The airline also acknowledged that there was a delay in informing the stock exchanges about receiving the DGCA's communication. It said the delay was unintentional and resulted from a lag in internal communication regarding the receipt of the warning letter.

While the airline has maintained that the issue does not materially affect its business, the episode serves as a reminder that India's fast-growing aviation industry must continue investing in training, compliance and safety systems as fleet sizes and operational complexity continue to expand.