DGCA Receives Confidential Report on IndiGo's Massive Flight Cancellations

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has received the confidential report on the recent massive flight disruptions at IndiGo. The four-member inquiry committee submitted its findings on Friday evening, December 26. This report is now with the aviation regulator.

Copies were also shared with Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu. Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha also received a copy. The government is now expected to decide on action against the airline.

The Probe Committee

The inquiry committee was formed on December 5. It was headed by DGCA Joint Director General Sanjay K Bramhane. The panel’s goal was a comprehensive review. It assessed the circumstances leading to the widespread chaos. The DGCA order setting up the panel cited deficiencies. These included issues in internal oversight and operational preparedness. The regulator sought an independent examination.

Other key members included Deputy Director General Amit Gupta. Senior Flight Operations Inspector Captain Kapil Manglik was also a member. Flight Operations Inspector Captain Rampal completed the team.

Root Cause: Revised FDTL Norms

The core reason for the IndiGo flight disruptions was clear. It stemmed from inadequate planning for revised FDTL norms. FDTL stands for Flight Duty Time Limitations. These new rules govern pilot rest norms and duty hours. They are part of the Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR).

The new rules were implemented in two phases. Phase-I took effect on July 1. Phase-II, which caused the major issues, began on November 1. Key Phase-II changes included increasing weekly rest. This rest period moved from 36 to 48 continuous hours. It also restricted night operations significantly.

IndiGo, India’s largest airline, acknowledged its failure. It admitted to planning and assessment gaps. The airline could not anticipate the actual crew requirement. This shortfall led to large-scale network disruptions. Cancellations reached 170-200 flights daily at the peak.

Regulatory and Industry Impact

Before the DGCA probe report submitted, the regulator took action. The DGCA directed IndiGo to reduce its winter schedule. This reduction was by 10 per cent. Show-cause notices were also issued to top management. These notices went to CEO Pieter Elbers and COO Isidre Porqueras. The situation indicated deficiencies in airline operational preparedness.

• Exemplary Action Expected: The Civil Aviation Minister promised “exemplary” action. This action is meant to set a strong example for the industry.
• Temporary Relief: The DGCA granted a temporary exemption to IndiGo. This was for some night operations until February 10, 2026. This move helped stabilize the airline's schedule.
• Market Share: IndiGo holds a domestic market share of over 64 per cent. The scale of the disruption affected thousands of passengers.

The regulator had given repeated directions on FDTL compliance. The airline failed to forecast crew availability planning gaps. This led to cascading delays across the network. The focus now shifts to the DGCA's response. The report will determine the final penalties and corrective measures. For more commercial aviation news, visit flying.flights. The DGCA is the primary aviation watchdog in India. Its decision will impact future compliance with Flight Duty Time Limitations across all carriers.