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Govt Orders High-Level Inquiry to Examine IndiGo's Mass Flight Cancellations and Disruptions
Following IndiGo’s mass flight cancellations, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated a probe on Friday. Minister of Civil Aviation of India Ram Mohan Naidu said that the probe will investigate the current issues at IndiGo.
The IndiGo flight crisis left hundreds of passengers stranded. It also affected the flight schedules of other airlines at Pune airport, as most of the parking bays were occupied by Indigo flights.
Pilot Rostering Issues and DGCA Norms
The crisis was rooted in the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) norms. New Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules took effect from 1 November and these regulations mandate longer rest periods for pilots to curb fatigue. The weekly rest time has been increased from 36 hours to 48 hours.
Additionally, night landings were capped at two, reduced from six previously. The definition of night hours was also extended by one hour. These changes severely limited crew availability for the airline.
IndiGo's high-utilization model, with many late-night flights, was hit hardest. Sources suggest IndiGo failed to recruit enough pilots in time, while pilot associations claim the airline had a two-year preparation window. The resulting crew shortage created significant rostering gaps for the carrier.
Passenger Chaos and Regulatory Response
Many IndiGo flights were cancelled, which left thousands of travelers stranded across airports. Social media soon filled with complaints of long waits and little information. IndiGo's on-time performance reduced to 8.5% which is the lowest in its history. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) intervened promptly and demanded a detailed report and a plan to stabilize operations.
It directed the airline to urgently increase passenger-handling manpower. "The DGCA is investigating the situation," said an official statement. The government instructed all airlines to strictly follow passenger-rights norms. This advisory emphasized seamless communication and automatic refunds.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) ordered carriers to proactively provide meals and hotel accommodations for stranded flyers. On the other hand, the DGCA also asked to monitor airfares closely to prevent gouging.