The DGCA has removed four inspectors responsible for overseeing IndiGo’s operations after initial findings pointed to lapses in monitoring during the airline’s ongoing crisis. The action comes as IndiGo continues to face widespread flight disruptions and intensified regulatory scrutiny.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has sacked four Flight Operations Inspectors (FOIs) overseeing IndiGo’s safety and operational compliance after preliminary findings pointed to lapses in their oversight during the airline’s ongoing operational crisis.
Reports say that the inspectors, who were responsible for IndiGo’s flight operations checks, safety monitoring and compliance processes, were found at fault in the regulator’s initial review, prompting action as the airline faces severe disruptions.
CNN-News18 also reported that action was initiated against some DGCA officials. The removals come amid concerns that gaps in monitoring may have contributed to the widespread disruptions that left thousands of passengers stranded. The DGCA has since increased scrutiny, with officials stationed at IndiGo’s Gurugram headquarters to monitor cancellations, crew deployment, refund processing and affected routes.
This unprecedented oversight includes two members of an oversight panel physically monitoring daily operations. IndiGo, India’s largest carrier, has been dealing with a major breakdown linked to planning issues during the rollout of new pilot duty and rest norms that began on November 1. The crisis led to thousands of cancellations, including over 200 at Delhi and Bengaluru on Thursday, according to PTI.
As disruptions grew, the civil aviation ministry ordered IndiGo to cut its winter schedule by 10 percent from its usual 2,300 daily flights. On Thursday, IndiGo said it expected to operate around 1,950 flights carrying nearly 3 lakh passengers, even as cancellations continued nationwide. CEO Pieter Elbers was questioned for several hours by a DGCA inquiry panel on Thursday and asked to appear again on Friday, as the regulator seeks details on the causes of the crisis.
End of Article
