Aviation safety regulator DGCA has directed crisis-ridden IndiGo’s Chief Executive Officer Pieter Elbers to appear at its office on Thursday and submit a complete report, along with comprehensive data and updates, relating to the recent operational disruptions, a statement said on Wednesday.
Elbers has been asked to appear at the DGCA office at 3 pm on Thursday.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) also said that the CEO, along with senior officials from all relevant departments, has been instructed to attend the meeting.
As per the regulator’s order, the airline has been asked to present information on the flight restoration, recruitment plan of pilots and crew, with updated position of pilot and cabin crew strength, number of flights cancelled and refunds processed, among others.
Following large-scale disruptions to its services, which resulted in thousands of flights being cancelled, delayed/ rescheduled, the DGCA appointed a panel to probe the disruptions.
The four-member committee has been mandated to identify the root causes behind the operational breakdown. It comprises Joint DG Sanjay Brahamane, Deputy Director General Amit Gupta, senior Flight Operations Inspector Kapil Manglik, and FOI Lokesh Rampal. The panel will closely examine manpower planning, fluctuating crew rostering systems and the airline’s readiness to implement the latest duty period and rest norms for pilots.
Announced by DGCA chief Faiz Ahmed Kidwai on December 5, the panel will also review IndiGo’s compliance with the revised Flight Duty Time Limitation provisions. This includes assessing gaps admitted by the airline and fixing accountability for planning failures that resulted in widespread disruptions.
‘Airline turmoil hits national economy’: Delhi HC pulls up Centre over IndiGo crisis
New Delhi, Dec 10 (IANS): The Delhi High Court on Wednesday pulled up the Union government over the widespread cancellations and delays of Indigo flights, asking why the situation was allowed to precipitate into a nationwide turmoil that stranded lakhs of passengers and inflicted losses on the national economy.
A bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking an independent judicial probe into the episode, remarked that the crisis is not confined to causing inconvenience to passengers but also affects the economy of the country.
“We appreciate the steps taken by the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation and DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation). However, what bothers us is how such a situation was allowed to precipitate, leaving lakhs of passengers unattended at airports.
Such a situation is not confined to causing inconvenience to the passengers but also affects the economy of the country, as in the present day, fast movement of passengers is an important aspect to keep the economy functioning,” the CJ Upadhyaya-led Bench observed in its order. During the hearing, the Delhi High Court asked the Centre to explain the legal provisions available to act against errant airlines.
Referring to powers vested in the DGCA and the Centre under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, the bench asked: “In case an airline fails to adhere to directions, what is the provision available to you? Are you helpless? We want to know under which provision or policy decision you would take action against them?”
In response, Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, who appeared for the Centre government, submitted that a high-level committee had been constituted and that the DGCA had issued a show-cause notice to Indigo, which had “apologised profusely”.
The law officer added that fare caps were imposed within two days of the crisis.
However, the Delhi High Court noted that ticket prices had already skyrocketed to Rs. 30-40,000 by then.
“If there was a crisis, how could other airlines take advantage? How was this allowed?” it asked.
On the other hand, senior advocate Sandeep Sethi, appearing for Indigo, said the disruption was a first-time event in 19 years of the airline’s operations and was caused by “multiple factors”, including technical issues.
Directing strict adherence to the DGCA’s compensation rules, the Delhi High Court said Indigo must “immediately” begin compensating passengers, adding that compensation should not be limited to cancellations but must account for the “agony caused by hostile staff and prolonged delays”.
Taking note of inadequacies in the PIL, the CJ-led bench remarked it was invoking its jurisdiction in view of the public interest involved. The matter will be heard next on January 22, 2026, with the high court directing that the inquiry report, if ready, be placed before it in a sealed cover.