IndiGo, India’s largest airline, is currently facing intense regulatory scrutiny after widespread flight delays and cancellations disrupted thousands of passengers across the country. In response to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s (DGCA) show-cause notices, the airline has formally acknowledged the issues but requested additional time to submit a comprehensive and detailed explanation.
The DGCA had issued the notices to IndiGo’s top leadership— including the CEO and COO— highlighting major lapses in crew management, flight planning, and operational preparedness. According to the regulator, the airline failed to comply with revised Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms, resulting in a shortage of crew and a domino effect of disruptions across its network. The notice also pointed out that IndiGo did not provide adequate support or communication to stranded passengers, worsening the crisis.
Initially, the airline was given 24 hours to respond. However, IndiGo argued that due to the vast size of its operations and the multiple compounding factors involved, it was not possible to identify every root cause within such a short timeframe. The airline requested an extension to compile a detailed Root Cause Analysis (RCA), citing DGCA guidelines that allow up to 15 days for a full reply. The regulator granted a one-time 24-hour extension but made it clear that no further delays would be permitted.
In its preliminary response, IndiGo expressed “deep regret” for the inconvenience caused and issued a public apology. The airline attributed the chaos to a combination of new FDTL rules, winter schedule transitions, adverse weather conditions, technical snags, and increased congestion across major airports. IndiGo stated that these overlapping issues made it difficult to isolate a single cause for the meltdown and assured that steps were being taken to stabilize operations.
The DGCA, however, has warned that the violations could amount to non-compliance under Aircraft Rules, 1937, as well as Civil Aviation Requirements related to crew duty hours and passenger rights. If IndiGo fails to provide a satisfactory explanation within the extended deadline, the regulator has stated that it may proceed ex-parte and take enforcement action based on available records.
This situation has led to one of India’s most severe aviation crises in recent years, with nearly 2,000 flights disrupted in just a week. The crisis has sparked broader concerns about IndiGo’s operational resilience, especially given its high-volume, low-cost model that leaves little room for error. As the airline prepares its detailed report, passengers and industry watchers alike are closely monitoring how the DGCA will respond and what corrective measures IndiGo will implement to prevent future breakdowns.
