The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Friday suspended four Flight Operation Inspectors (FIOs) following widespread cancellations of IndiGo flights that left thousands of passengers stranded at airports across the country. The suspended officials were responsible for monitoring pilot training, airline safety, and operational compliance.
Their suspension comes just hours before IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers is expected to appear before the aviation regulator to explain the unprecedented disruptions.
Mass Cancellations Trigger Regulatory Action
Over the past several days, IndiGo witnessed rampant flight cancellations, with the sharpest spike recorded last Friday when the airline cancelled more than 1,600 flights in a single day.
The disruptions, which began on December 2, have led to nearly 5,000 cancellations nationwide, severely affecting passengers’ travel plans.
Large crowds were seen at major airports, including Delhi, Bengaluru, and Patna, where stranded passengers waited for updates as cancellations continued.
Issues Linked to FDTL Phase-II Implementation
Industry officials and government sources attributed the chaos to IndiGo’s delayed implementation of Phase II of the Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL), which came into effect in November.
Authorities also criticised the airline for “mismanagement” and ineffective handling of crew rostering, resulting in crew shortages and operational gaps.
Government Steps In: Refund Deadlines & Fare Controls
Taking note of the growing passenger inconvenience, the government announced several measures, including:
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Setting strict deadlines for issuing refunds
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Directing other airlines to keep ticket prices in check during the crisis
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Ordering IndiGo to reduce its daily operations by 10%
According to PTI, IndiGo has said it will now operate around 1,950 flights, carrying nearly 3 lakh passengers per day, compared to its usual winter schedule of 2,300 flights.
DGCA Monitors Operations at IndiGo Headquarters
On Thursday, DGCA officials were stationed at IndiGo’s headquarters to oversee the airline’s operations. That same day, more than 200 flights were cancelled at Delhi and Bengaluru airports alone.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu recently told Parliament that IndiGo had raised no concerns in a meeting held one day before the disruptions began—raising further questions about the airline’s preparedness.
