DGCA Report Tables: What 'Exemplary' Action Awaits IndiGo After Schedule Collapse?

The stage is now set for significant government action against IndiGo. This follows a massive IndiGo schedule collapse that crippled India's domestic air travel. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) submitted its confidential report on Friday evening. This report details the circumstances leading to the widespread operational disruptions.

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu promised "exemplary" action once the probe concluded. Anticipated measures include steep financial penalties and regulatory scrutiny on certain airline officials. The government aims to force India's largest carrier to urgently improve its operations.

Regulatory Scrutiny and Findings

The DGCA inquiry committee, led by Joint DG Sanjay K Bramhane, was formed on December 5. Its mandate was to identify the underlying causes of the disruption. The crisis saw over 5,000 flights cancelled in the first ten days of December. This action stranded lakhs of passengers across the country.

Initial findings challenge the airline's initial explanation. A systemic review found the airline had a surplus of pilots in November 2025. IndiGo operated a fleet of over 300 Airbus aircraft. The data suggested that the airline had more crew than global standards require. This points directly to airline rostering failures and planning gaps as the primary trigger.

The FDTL Catalyst

The core issue was the implementation of new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms. The second phase of these stricter rules took effect on November 1, 2025. These new FDTL norms were designed to combat pilot fatigue and enhance safety.

Key changes included increasing the mandatory weekly rest period to 48 hours. This is an increase from the previous 36 hours. The rules also redefined night duty and severely limited the number of night landings. IndiGo admitted it "failed to anticipate the actual crew requirement" under the new regulations.

Immediate Regulatory Action

Regulatory enforcement has already begun. The DGCA issued a show-cause notice to the airline's top management. This included CEO Pieter Elbers and COO Isidre Porqueras. Furthermore, the DGCA ordered a 5% reduction in IndiGo's approved winter schedule. This removed roughly 100 to 110 daily flights from operation. The regulator also granted a temporary exemption on some night operations-related FDTL changes until February 2026. This was a move to restore stability. The DGCA also reportedly sacked four of its own Flight Operations Inspectors (FOIs) responsible for IndiGo's oversight.

Market Impact and Future Outlook

IndiGo's dominant position makes the government's response critical. The airline holds a massive 64% share of the Indian domestic market. This scale means the airline is considered "too big to fail" in banking parlance. The government's goal is to ensure stability while enforcing accountability.

The DGCA's report is expected to shed light on the collapse of the domestic network. The international network was barely affected, with only 2.4% of international flights cancelled. The focus on the airline's expat-led management and operational control center is clear. Regulatory glare could lead to the withdrawal of the approval for the airline's accountable manager.

• Key Takeaways for the Industry:
  • The DGCA is prioritizing safety through stricter pilot fatigue management rules.
  • The crisis highlights the critical nature of accurate crew rostering systems.
  • The government will use steep fines to ensure compliance from dominant carriers.

This incident has put the spotlight on the need for robust planning. It also shows the importance of adhering to global aviation safety standards, as outlined by bodies like the ICAO. For more updates on this and other commercial aviation news, visit flying.flights. The DGCA's final decision will set a new precedent for aviation regulatory scrutiny in India.