DGCA issues a 24-hour show-cause notice to IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers over massive nationwide flight disruptions, citing regulatory lapses and operational failures. The government launches an investigation, imposes airfare caps, and warns of strict action amid continued cancellations.
India’s aviation regulator has taken unprecedented action against IndiGo as the airline’s large-scale operational collapse triggered nationwide travel chaos for a second consecutive day. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a show-cause notice to IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers, holding the top management directly responsible for severe disruptions that left thousands of passengers stranded across airports on Sunday.
The notice demands Elbers submit a written explanation within 24 hours, clarifying why strict enforcement action should not be initiated against him personally. The directive comes amid a wave of flight cancellations and delays that have shaken India’s largest airline by market share.
According to DGCA officials, IndiGo has failed to comply with critical regulatory norms—specifically Rule 42A of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, and associated Civil Aviation Requirements related to pilot fatigue management. These regulations are designed to prevent overworked flight crew from operating under unsafe conditions, thus ensuring safety and operational reliability.
Regulator Flags “Significant Lapses” and Management Failure
In its strongly worded notice, the DGCA observed that “large-scale operational failures” at IndiGo reveal deep flaws in planning, supervision, and resource allocation. It further noted that the disruptions amounted to “prima facie non-compliance” by the airline.
The regulator emphasised that the chaos caused “severe inconvenience, hardship and distress” to passengers who have reported long queues, cancelled flights, extended delays, and lack of clarity from the airline.
The notice also reminded Elbers of his responsibility as the chief executive:
“Whereas as the CEO, you are responsible for ensuring effective management of the airline, but you have failed in your duty to ensure timely arrangements for the conduct of reliable operations and the availability of requisite facilities to the passenger.”
The DGCA concluded that IndiGo’s widespread disruption points to breakdowns in internal coordination and operational readiness—a serious concern given the airline’s scale of operations across India.
IndiGo CEO Says Normalcy Expected by Mid-December
In a video message issued on Friday, IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers admitted that the airline was struggling to stabilise operations due to the “size, scale, and complexity” of its network.
He said the airline anticipates returning to normal between December 10 and 15, but offered no clear explanation for the sudden meltdown. The message has done little to reassure travellers who have faced repeated cancellations, misplaced baggage, and hours-long delays at major airports.
Civil Aviation Minister Promises Strict Action After Investigation
Speaking on Sunday, Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu confirmed that the government is closely monitoring the situation and will not hesitate to take strict punitive action against IndiGo once the investigation is complete.
“We are conducting a thorough investigation into IndiGo. We will take whatever steps are necessary with utmost caution. The Ministry has also formed a four-member team for this,” the minister said.
He added that immediate steps have been implemented to minimise further inconvenience for passengers while the disruption continues.
Government Imposes Nationwide Cap on Airfare Surge
To prevent airlines from exploiting the crisis through sudden fare hikes, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has imposed a temporary nationwide cap on domestic airfares. The cap ranges from ₹7,500 to ₹18,000, depending on the route length.
This move followed reports of sharp increases in ticket prices as IndiGo’s operational collapse triggered shortages across domestic routes.
Industry experts noted that this cap—though unusual—was necessary to protect consumers during a period of uncertainty. However, they warned that prolonged restrictions could impact airline revenues already strained by rising operational costs.
Crisis Exposes Vulnerabilities of India’s Largest Airline
IndiGo, which operates more than 1,800 flights daily, has long been considered the backbone of India’s domestic aviation sector. The ongoing disruptions have exposed serious vulnerabilities in crew management, scheduling, and crisis preparedness.
Analysts say the DGCA’s unusually strong reaction reflects growing concerns about safety and reliability across the aviation ecosystem. The next 24 hours will be crucial, as IndiGo must provide a credible explanation for the widespread breakdown—and outline corrective measures to restore normal operations swiftly.
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For now, passengers continue to face uncertainty as airports remain crowded and the airline struggles to regain control of its schedules.
