DGCA Sacks Four Flight Inspectors Over Lapses in IndiGo Oversight Amid Nationwide Flight Chaos
DGCA sacks four IndiGo flight inspectors over oversight lapses as flight cancellations surge; airline ordered to cut operations by 10% and offer passenger compensation.
DGCA officials outside IndiGo’s Gurugram office amid operational audits and staff dismissals.
In a significant disciplinary action, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has dismissed four flight inspectors responsible for monitoring safety and operational compliance at IndiGo, India’s largest airline. The move comes after the carrier was hit by an unprecedented operational crisis, resulting in thousands of flight cancellations across the country.
Why the Inspectors Were Sacked
According to officials, the inspectors were removed due to negligence in inspection and oversight of IndiGo’s operations during a period when the airline struggled to comply with tighter safety regulations.
IndiGo’s operational meltdown left tens of thousands of passengers stranded, with cancellations peaking on December 5. The airline has since stated that operations have stabilised, returning to normal levels earlier this week.
DGCA Deploys Two Special Teams at IndiGo
To regain control of the situation, the DGCA has stationed two dedicated oversight teams at IndiGo’s Gurugram headquarters:
Team 1: Operational Monitoring
Oversees:
Total fleet strength
Pilot availability
Crew utilisation hours
Training schedules
Unplanned leaves and split duties
Standby crew numbers
Daily flights operated
Sectors affected due to crew shortage
Network and average stage length
This team aims to provide a real-time picture of IndiGo’s operational health.
Team 2: Passenger Impact Assessment
Tracks:
Refund status (through airline, websites, and agents)
Compensation under Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR)
On-time performance
Lost baggage return
Daily cancellation reports
Both teams must submit detailed reports to the DGCA by 6 PM every day.
IndiGo Ordered to Cut Operations by 10%
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu announced that IndiGo must reduce its operations by 10%, amounting to over 200 daily flight cancellations from its 2,200-flight schedule.
The minister stated the decision was taken because passengers suffered "severe inconvenience" due to IndiGo’s internal mismanagement of crew rosters, schedules, and communication.
He added that while routes are curtailed, IndiGo must continue serving all destinations and adhere to fare caps and passenger welfare measures.
₹10,000 Compensation for “Severely Impacted” Passengers
IndiGo has announced ₹10,000 travel vouchers for passengers “severely impacted” between December 3–5, when airport chaos was at its peak. The airline has not yet defined the criteria for identifying such passengers.
The vouchers:
Can be used for any IndiGo flight
Are valid for 12 months
This compensation is in addition to the ₹5,000–₹10,000 mandated by government guidelines for flights cancelled within 24 hours of departure.
The airline stated it remains committed to restoring a safe, smooth, and reliable travel experience for its customers.
