The aviation regulator has completed its investigation into the recent IndiGo flight disruptions and submitted a detailed report to the Civil Aviation Ministry. The probe was ordered after a series of cancellations and delays caused major inconvenience to passengers across multiple cities.
The enquiry committee examined the airline’s internal systems, focusing on crew availability, flight scheduling, and adherence to revised Flight Duty Time Limitation rules. These norms were introduced to improve safety and manage fatigue, but the panel assessed whether IndiGo was adequately prepared to implement them without disrupting operations.
During the disruptions, IndiGo cancelled a large number of flights in a single day and struggled to stabilise its network in the days that followed. The airline acknowledged shortcomings in anticipating crew shortages and aligning training schedules with operational demands. These lapses reportedly triggered a cascading effect, leading to prolonged delays and passenger dissatisfaction.
Following the initial chaos, the DGCA took immediate corrective steps. These included cutting IndiGo’s winter flight schedule and issuing notices to senior leadership, asking why regulatory action should not be taken. The regulator also reiterated that airlines must balance expansion plans with realistic assessments of manpower and infrastructure readiness.
Now that the investigation report has been submitted, the government is reviewing the findings and recommendations. Officials have suggested that strong regulatory action is likely, including penalties and stricter monitoring of airline operations. The objective, authorities said earlier, is not just punitive action but ensuring that similar disruptions do not recur.
The outcome of the case is being closely watched by the aviation industry, as it could set a benchmark for how regulators respond to large-scale service failures. For passengers, the focus remains on accountability, improved reliability, and better crisis management by airlines.
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