Delhi : Following the large-scale delays and cancellations reported by M/s IndiGo during the period from 3rd to 5th December 2025—resulting in the cancellation of 2,507 flights and delays of 1,852 flights and causing inconvenience to over three lakh passengers stranded at various airports, on the directions of MoCA, a four-member Committee was constituted by DGCA to undertake a comprehensive review and assessment of the circumstances leading to the operational disruptions of M/s IndiGo.
The Committee conducted a detailed inquiry and took statements of the relevant stakeholders and thoroughly studied the network planning, rostering and software being deployed by Indigo for the same.
The key findings of the Inquiry Committee were that
the primary causes for the disruption were over-optimisation of operations, inadequate regulatory preparedness along with deficiencies in system software support and shortcomings in management structure and operational control on the part of M/s IndiGo.
The Committee observed that the airline’s management failed to adequately identify planning deficiencies, maintain sufficient operational buffer, and effectively implement the revised Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) provisions. These lapses resulted in widespread flight delays and large-scale cancellations, causing inconvenience to passengers.
The Inquiry further noted an overriding focus on maximising utilisation of crew, aircraft, and network resources, which significantly reduced roster buffer margins. Crew rosters were designed to maximise duty periods, with increased reliance on dead-heading, tail swaps, extended duty patterns, and minimal recovery margins. This approach compromised roster integrity and adversely impacted operational resilience. The inquiry also included within its purview long term reform measures addressing systemic issues so that such incidents do not occur in the future and passengers are not put to any inconvenience.
The findings underscore the need for balanced operational planning, robust regulatory preparedness, and effective management oversight to ensure sustainable operations and passenger safety and convenience.
The Committee’s findings and recommendations were forwarded to MoCA. After due deliberations, DGCA has undertaken the following enforcement actions:
Action against officials of Interglobe Aviation:
Caution to the CEO for inadequate overall oversight of flight operations and crisis management, Warning to the Accountable Manager (COO) for failure to assess the impact of Winter Schedule 2025 and the revised FDTL CAR leading to widespread disruptions and Warning to the Senior Vice President (OCC) with directions to relieve him of current operational responsibilities and not to assign any accountable position, for failure in systemic planning and timely implementation of revised FDTL provisions.
Additionally, Warnings have also been issued to Deputy Head–Flight Operations, AVP–Crew Resource Planning, and Director–Flight Operations for operational, supervisory, manpower planning, and roster management lapses. Further, M/s IndiGo has been directed to take appropriate action against any other personnel identified through its internal inquiry and submit a compliance report to DGCA.
In addition to individual enforcement actions, one time financial penalty is imposed on M/s Indigo Airlines for non-compliance with directions issued under Rule 133A of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, attracting penalties under the applicable statutory provisions as per following details:
Sl. No.
CAR Reference
Nature of Non-Compliance
Penalty Prescribed
1
CAR 7/J/III (FDTL CAR)
Failure to establish and effectively implement a scheme for compliance with limits of Flight Time, Flight Duty Period, Duty Period and Rest Periods; inadequate buffer margins in roster planning
₹30,00,000
2
CAR 7/J/III
Failure to strike balance between commercial imperatives and crew members’ ability to work effectively
₹30,00,000
3
CAR 8/O/VII – Part A (General)
Non-compliance with instructions outlining responsibilities of operations personnel pertaining to the conduct of flight operations
₹30,00,000
4
CAR 8/O/II – Para 3.1.4
Improper delegation and exercise of operational control responsibilities contrary to approved methods
₹30,00,000
5
CAR 3/C/II – Annexure III, Para 1
Failure of accountable management to ensure overall functioning, financing, and conduct of operations to DGCA standards
₹30,00,000
6
CAR 3/C/II – Annexure III, Para 2.4
Post holders failed to discharge duties with adequate understanding of aviation safety standards, CARs, and operational manuals
₹30,00,000
In addition for continued non-compliance with the provisions of CAR 7/J/III (Revised FDTL CAR) Para 3.11 and Para 6.1.4) for a period of 68 days, i.e., from 05 December 2025 to 10 February 2026 (both days inclusive).
Daily Penalty: ₹30,00,000
Total Days of Non-Compliance: 68 days
Total Penalty for Continued Non-Compliance:
68 × ₹30,00,000 = ₹20,40,00,000/-
(Rupees Twenty Crore Forty Lakh Only)
Component
Amount
One-time systemic penalties
₹1.80 crore
Continued non-compliance penalty
₹20.40 crore
Total Penalty Imposed
₹22.20 crore
(Rupees Twenty-Two Crore Twenty Lakh Only)
In addition to the above, Indigo has been ordered to pledge a bank guarantee of ₹ 50 crore in favour of DGCA, to ensure compliance with the directives and long term systemic correction. The Bank Guarantee–linked reform framework of ₹50 crore titled the IndiGo Systemic Reform Assurance Scheme (ISRAS) for IndiGo, under which phased release of the Bank Guarantee is strictly tied to DGCA-verified implementation of reforms across four pillars—leadership and governance (₹10 crore upon certification within 3 months), manpower planning, rostering and fatigue-risk management (₹15 crore linked to initial and sustained compliance over 6 months), digital systems and operational resilience (₹15 crore upon acceptance of upgrades and safeguards within 9 months), and board-level oversight with sustained compliance (₹10 crore after six months of continued adherence over a 9–15 month period). Release of the bank guarantee will be contingent upon independent verification and certification by DGCA at each stage. This has been undertaken to ensure that systemic reforms being undertaken are closely monitored by MoCA and DGCA in coordination with senior management of Indigo in the interest of aviation ecosystem improvement.
DGCA also recognizes that the turnaround achieved by M/s IndiGo was notably swift, and the airline was able to restore its operations to normal levels within a very short period of time. DGCA also recognises that apart from ensuring timely refunds and CAR compensation to the affected passengers, on the directions of MoCA Indigo has additionally extended a ‘Gesture of Care’ (GoC) voucher of ₹10,000 having a validity of 12 months for flights that were cancelled or delayed by more than 3 hours from 3rd to 5th December 2025.
Further, on the directions of MoCA, an internal inquiry is being undertaken to identify and implement systemic improvements within the DGCA.
DGCA reiterates that safety and regulatory compliance remains paramount, and that all enforcement actions are directed towards strengthening systemic resilience and ensuring sustained operational safety in civil aviation, ensuring that the legitimate interests and well-being of pilots, crew and other operational personnel are duly safeguarded.
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