DGCA Sends Second Show Cause Notice To IndiGo Over Flight Cancellations, Seeks Reply In 24 Hours

IndiGo Flight Chaos: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Saturday sought an explanation from IndiGo Airlines within 24 hours after issuing a second show cause notice over massive recent

flight disruptions that caused severe inconvenience, hardship and distress to passengers.

According to the notice, the primary cause of the disruptions was the non-provisioning of adequate arrangements to meet the revised requirements for smooth implementation of the approved Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) scheme.

The regulator said the large-scale operational failures indicate significant lapses in planning, oversight and resource management, and amount to prima facie non-compliance with Rule 42A of the Aircraft Rules, 1937 and provisions of Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) related to duty period, flight duty period, flight time limitations and prescribed rest periods for flight crew engaged in scheduled air transport operations.

The DGCA further observed that the airline failed to provide requisite information and facilities to passengers as stipulated under CAR provisions on facilities to be provided to passengers in cases of denied boarding, cancellation of flights and delays.

Addressing the notice to the Post Holder Accountable Manager, the DGCA said that as the accountable manager, they are responsible for ensuring overall operations in accordance with approved manuals and relevant CAR provisions.

The regulator has directed Indigo to show cause within 24 hours of receipt of the notice as to why appropriate enforcement action should not be initiated under the relevant provisions of the Aircraft Rules and Civil Aviation Requirements for the stated violations.

“Failure to submit your reply within the stipulated period shall result in the matter being decided ex parte. This issues with the approval of the Competent Authority,” the notice added.

Earlier, the DGCA issued a first show cause notice to IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers, holding him accountable for the operational meltdown, which led to the cancellation of flights and left thousands of passengers stranded across airports in the country.

In the notice, the aviation regulator said that it had “observed massive disruptions” in IndiGo’s scheduled operations, causing “severe inconvenience, hardship and distress” to travellers nationwide.

The DGCA, in its notice, said the primary cause of the crisis was the airline’s failure to make adequate arrangements required for the smooth implementation of the newly approved Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms.

The regulator said the airline’s inability to adjust its rosters and resources in time led to widespread cancellations, delays, crew shortages and cascading disruption across its network.

“As the CEO, you are responsible for ensuring effective management of the airline,” the notice stated, adding, “You have failed in your duty to ensure timely arrangements for conduct of reliable operations and the availability of requisite facilities to passengers.”

According to sources, the government is also mulling the removal of IndiGo CEO Peter Elbers over the crisis.

IndiGo’s operational crisis stretched into a fifth straight day on Saturday as hundreds of domestic flights were cancelled across major airports, marking the most severe phase of the disruption so far. The cancellations are largely attributed to an unanticipated shortage of pilots stemming from planning lapses.