DGCA Imposes Record Rs 22.2 Crore Fine on IndiGo for Flight Chaos
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has hit IndiGo with a massive penalty. The regulator fined the airline Rs 22.2 crore for its widespread flight disruptions last month. This marks the steepest fine ever levied on an Indian carrier.
Bank Guarantee and Personnel Actions
IndiGo must also submit a bank guarantee of Rs 50 crore. The release of this guarantee depends on the airline implementing several measures. These include adopting more humane flight duty norms for pilots to enhance safety.
The DGCA issued warnings to senior IndiGo officials. The CEO and COO received cautions for their roles in the crisis. The regulator ordered the removal of the senior vice president of the operation control centre from his position. He cannot hold any accountable role in the future.
Key Findings from the Probe Report
The DGCA released key findings from its four-member panel late Saturday night. The panel investigated IndiGo's schedule collapse last month. The report identified the airline's unpreparedness as a major factor. IndiGo failed to implement the new flight duty time limitation (FDTL) rules for pilots effectively.
This failure proved costly. Each day's exemption granted to Airbus A320 family pilots carries a price tag of Rs 30 lakh. These exemptions allowed the airline to resume flights starting the second week of December. The total cost for 68 days from December 5, 2025, to February 10, 2026, amounts to Rs 20.4 crore.
Breakdown of the Fine
The DGCA imposed the Rs 22.2 crore fine through multiple counts. A one-time penalty of Rs 30 lakh each applied to six specific failures. These failures include:
- Non-compliance with new FDTL rules
- Inadequate rest periods for crew
- Insufficient buffer margins in roster planning
- Failure to balance commercial needs with crew effectiveness
- Accountable management's failure to ensure operations met DGCA standards
Scale of the Disruption
The flight disruptions between December 3 and 5 affected thousands of passengers. IndiGo cancelled 2,507 flights during this period. Another 1,852 flights faced delays. Over three lakh passengers found themselves stranded at airports across the airline's network. Flight operations resumed gradually over the following week.
Root Causes Identified
The DGCA probe panel pinpointed several primary causes for the disruption. Over-optimisation of operations topped the list. Inadequate regulatory preparedness also played a significant role. The panel noted deficiencies in system software support. Shortcomings in management structure and operational control at IndiGo contributed to the crisis.
The report states that IndiGo's management failed to identify planning deficiencies adequately. They did not maintain sufficient operational buffers. The airline also struggled to implement revised FDTL provisions effectively.
Specific Actions Against Officials
The DGCA took specific actions against IndiGo's leadership. The CEO received a caution for inadequate oversight of flight operations and crisis management. Accountable manager and COO Isidre Porqueras faced warnings. His failure to assess the impact of the winter 2025 schedule and revised FDTL rules led to widespread disruptions.
Warnings also went to flight operations and crew resource planning teams. These warnings addressed operational, supervisory, manpower planning, and roster management lapses.
Next Steps and Compliance
The DGCA directed IndiGo to take appropriate action against any other personnel identified through its inquiry. The airline must submit a compliance report regarding these actions. Sources indicate IndiGo has been made aware of senior officials' lapses, particularly the COO's. The airline is expected to take action against them.
The report emphasizes the need for better operational planning. Effective management oversight remains crucial for sustainable operations. Passenger safety and convenience must remain top priorities.
IndiGo's Response
IndiGo confirmed receipt of the DGCA ruling. The airline stated it is committed to taking full cognisance of the orders. Appropriate measures will be implemented in a thoughtful and timely manner. An in-depth review of internal processes is underway. IndiGo aims to emerge stronger from these events. The airline highlighted its otherwise pristine record of over 19 years of operations.
The aviation ministry has ordered an internal inquiry. This inquiry aims to identify and implement systemic improvements within the DGCA itself.
