DGCA Gets Confidential IndiGo Crisis Report; Rostering, Not Pilots, Caused Chaos

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) received the confidential report on the IndiGo flight cancellation crisis on Friday. This inquiry panel was formed on December 5 to investigate the large-scale operational failures. The report’s findings were submitted to the aviation regulator and the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Copies were given to Minister K. Rammohan Naidu and Secretary Sameer Kumar Sinha. However, the specific details of the DGCA investigation report have not been made public.

Root Cause: Rostering Failures, Not Pilot Shortage

The crisis, which saw IndiGo cancel over 5,000 flights in early December, was triggered by rostering irregularities. This conclusion comes from a separate systematic review ordered by the Ministry of Civil Aviation. The review was initiated following the airline refunding over ₹1,500 crore to affected passengers.

Pilot Strength and Utilization Data

Internal data submitted to the DGCA challenges the idea of a crew shortage. The airline employed 4,575 pilots in November to operate its fleet of 307 Airbus aircraft. Global best practices suggest a requirement of 3,684 pilots. This means IndiGo had a surplus of 891 pilots. The data confirms that pilot strength was more than sufficient.

• Pilot-to-Aircraft Ratio: The airline maintained approximately six crew sets per aircraft. This aligns with global industry norms.
• Crew Utilization Rate: The review revealed the airline’s crew utilization rate was only 55%. This is against the 100 hours per month allowed by Indian regulations.

This evidence strongly suggests that the issue was a failure in pilot rostering irregularities and scheduling. The airline struggled to adapt its schedules to new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms. These revised FDTL norms mandate longer rest periods for pilots. The DGCA had previously flagged inadequate planning for implementing the new FDTL rules.

Impact and Passenger Compensation

The widespread cancellations stranded thousands of passengers across India. The operational crisis led to significant government intervention. The DGCA previously directed IndiGo to reduce its winter schedule by 10%.

Travel Vouchers Issued

In response to the disruption, IndiGo has started issuing ₹10,000 travel vouchers to severely impacted customers. These vouchers are a “Gesture of Care” from the airline.

• Voucher Value: ₹10,000 (approximately $120 USD).
• Validity: The vouchers are valid for 12 months.
• Eligibility: They are for passengers of specific flights identified as severely impacted between December 3 and December 5.
• Additional Relief: This is an additional benefit beyond the government-mandated compensation for cancellations.

Regulatory Oversight and Future Steps

The DGCA panel was comprised of senior officials. These included DGCA Joint Director General Sanjay Brahmne (Chairman). The committee was tasked with fixing responsibility for the operational lapses. The submission of the report marks a crucial step. Officials will now review the recommendations to prevent future breakdowns. The regulator may take further corrective actions or impose penalties. This event highlights the critical need for airlines to proactively manage crew utilization rate and adapt to regulatory changes. For more commercial aviation news and analysis, visit flying.flights. The DGCA is expected to submit the confidential report to the Delhi High Court. The focus remains on ensuring compliance with the stricter FDTL norms across the industry.