DGCA Terminates Four Senior Inspectors, Orders 10% IndiGo Capacity Reduction
Aviation watchdog cracks down hard after massive passenger chaos.
India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has terminated four senior flight operations inspectors responsible for overseeing IndiGo’s safety and compliance, citing gross negligence in monitoring the airline’s operations. The unprecedented action comes amid the worst operational meltdown in IndiGo’s history that left lakhs of passengers stranded nationwide.
Following thousands of sudden cancellations triggered by crew shortages and failure to comply with revised duty-time regulations, the DGCA has imposed a 10 per cent capacity cut on IndiGo with immediate effect. The country’s largest carrier, which normally operates over 2,200 flights daily, will now have to cancel more than 200 flights every day until further notice, even as it claims operations have “stabilised”.
Two special DGCA oversight teams have been stationed permanently at IndiGo’s Gurugram headquarters. One team is scrutinising pilot rostering, crew utilisation, standby availability, training pipeline and fleet status in minute detail, while the second is monitoring passenger refunds, statutory compensation, baggage delivery and on-time performance, submitting daily reports by 6 pm.
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Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu announced the punitive measures after a marathon meeting with IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers, stating that the curtailment was essential to prevent further passenger harassment caused by “internal mismanagement of crew rosters and inadequate planning”. The minister directed the airline to implement fare capping and ensure full compliance with all passenger-rights regulations without exception.
In a damage-control exercise, IndiGo on Thursday announced ₹10,000 travel vouchers for “severely impacted” passengers who were stranded between December 3–5, over and above the mandatory ₹5,000–₹10,000 cash compensation for last-minute cancellations. The airline, however, has not defined the eligibility criteria, leaving thousands of affected travellers uncertain about receiving the additional benefit.
Also Read: IndiGo Under 24/7 DGCA Monitoring Following Thousands of Flight Cancellations; CEO Summoned
