NEW DELHI : The Directorate Common of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has imposed penalties amounting to Rs 22.20 crore on IndiGo Airways following widespread flight disruptions in early December 2025 that affected greater than three lakh passengers throughout the nation.
The motion follows a complete inquiry ordered by the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) after IndiGo cancelled 2,507 flights and delayed 1,852 others between December 3 and 5, 2025.
A four-member committee constituted by the DGCA examined the airline’s operational planning, crew rostering, administration oversight and software program techniques.
Based on the committee’s findings, the first causes for the disruption have been over-optimisation of operations, insufficient regulatory preparedness, together with deficiencies in system software program assist and shortcomings in administration construction and operational management on the a part of IndiGo.
The inquiry famous that the airline’s administration didn’t adequately determine planning deficiencies, keep adequate operational buffer, and successfully implement the revised Flight Responsibility Time Limitation (FDTL) provisions, resulting in large-scale cancellations and delays.
The committee noticed that an overriding concentrate on maximising utilisation of crew, plane, and community assets, which considerably decreased roster buffer margins. Crew rosters have been designed to maximise responsibility intervals, with elevated reliance on dead-heading, tail swaps, prolonged responsibility patterns, and minimal restoration margins. This method compromised roster integrity and adversely impacted operational resilience.
Based mostly on these findings, DGCA issued enforcement actions towards a number of senior officers of InterGlobe Aviation, IndiGo’s mum or dad firm. The airline’s CEO was cautioned for insufficient oversight of operations and disaster administration, whereas warnings have been issued to the Chief Working Officer and the Senior Vice President (Operations Management Centre).
The SVP has additionally been directed to be relieved of present operational duties. Further warnings have been issued to senior officers liable for flight operations, crew useful resource planning and roster administration.
Along with particular person actions, DGCA imposed one-time systemic penalties of Rs 1.80 crore for a number of violations of Civil Aviation Necessities (CARs). These included failures associated to crew responsibility limits, operational management, and accountable administration duties.
An additional penalty of Rs 20.40 crore was levied for continued non-compliance with revised FDTL provisions over a interval of 68 days, from December 5, 2025, to February 10, 2026, at a each day price of Rs 30 lakh.
DGCA has additionally directed IndiGo to furnish a Rs 50 crore financial institution assure beneath the newly instituted IndiGo Systemic Reform Assurance Scheme (ISRAS).
The discharge of the assure shall be phased and linked to DGCA-verified implementation of reforms throughout management and governance, manpower planning and fatigue threat administration, digital techniques and operational resilience, and board-level oversight over a 9-15 month interval.
Whereas acknowledging the violations, DGCA famous that IndiGo restored regular operations in a comparatively quick time. The regulator additionally took be aware of measures taken by the airline, together with well timed refunds, statutory compensation, and the issuance of a ‘Gesture of Care’ voucher price Rs 10,000 to affected passengers, legitimate for 12 months.
DGCA reiterated that the enforcement actions are aimed toward strengthening systemic resilience, safeguarding aviation security, and defending the pursuits of passengers and aviation personnel. The regulator additionally said that an inner overview is underway inside DGCA to implement systemic enhancements according to MoCA’s path. (ANI)
