New Delhi — The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has summoned IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers along with several senior officials as the airline’s nationwide operational disruption entered its ninth day, forcing the cancellation of 220 flights across the country on Wednesday.
The situation persists despite the CEO’s earlier claim that operations had begun returning to normal.
Daily Operations to Undergo Close Scrutiny
The DGCA has decided to keep round-the-clock surveillance on every aspect of IndiGo’s functioning. For this, two dedicated teams have been constituted:
- Eight-Member Special Oversight Team
- Two officials from this team will be stationed daily at IndiGo’s Gurugram headquarters (Emaar Capital).
- They will monitor:
• Total fleet strength
• Number of operational aircraft
• Number of available pilots and crew
• Daily flights scheduled and flights actually operated
• Extent of cancellations and disruptions
- Passenger-Centric Monitoring Team
- Two DGCA officers will exclusively track issues faced by passengers, including delays, cancellations, refunds, and grievance redressal.
CEO Summoned with Detailed Data
The regulator has directed IndiGo’s CEO and heads of all key departments to appear at 3 pm on Thursday with comprehensive data explaining:
- Recruitment plans for pilots and crew
- Current strength of pilots and crew members
- Daily operational capacity
- Number of flights cancelled
- Refund status and compensation measures
- Steps are being taken to stabilise operations
The summons comes a day after Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu announced a 10% reduction in IndiGo’s daily flights, translating to a cut of 220 services from its average 2,200 daily flights.
Meanwhile, senior officials from the Civil Aviation Ministry conducted surprise inspections at major airports, including Mumbai and Kolkata, reviewing on-ground handling and crisis management.
Delhi High Court: “How Did This Crisis Arise?”
The Delhi High Court, expressing deep concern over the ongoing disruption, questioned the Centre on Wednesday about how such a situation was allowed to develop.
The court termed the circumstances a “crisis, noting that beyond the harassment and distress caused to stranded passengers, the cancellations also carry significant economic implications.
The High Court urged the government and the airline to expedite steps for timely compensation to affected travellers, emphasising that both accountability and transparency are essential at this stage.
With operational instability continuing and regulatory scrutiny intensifying, all eyes are now on the DGCA’s meeting with IndiGo’s leadership, expected to determine the next course of corrective action.