IndiGo CEO, senior staff summoned by aviation regulator over flight disruptions

Aviation safety regulator DGCA has summoned IndiGo Chief Executive Officer Pieter Elbers to its office on Thursday to submit a detailed report on the airline's recent operational disruptions, the regulator said on Wednesday.

Elbers has been asked to appear at 3 pm, accompanied by senior officials from all relevant departments. The DGCA said the airline must present complete data and updates on the disruptions during the meeting.

As per the regulator's order, the airline has been asked to present information on the flight restoration, recruitment plan of pilots and crew, with updated position of pilot and cabin crew strength, number of flights cancelled and refunds processed, among others.

Following large-scale disruptions to its services, which resulted in thousands of flights being cancelled, delayed and rescheduled, the DGCA appointed a panel to probe the disruptions.

The four-member committee has been mandated to identify the root causes behind the operational breakdown. It comprises Joint DG Sanjay Brahamane, Deputy Director General Amit Gupta, senior Flight Operations Inspector Kapil Manglik, and FOI Lokesh Rampal. The panel will closely examine manpower planning, fluctuating crew rostering systems and the airline's readiness to implement the latest duty period and rest norms for pilots.

Announced by DGCA chief Faiz Ahmed Kidwai on December 5, the panel will also review IndiGo's compliance with the revised Flight Duty Time Limitation provisions. This includes assessing gaps admitted by the airline and fixing accountability for planning failures that resulted in widespread disruptions.

(With PTI inputs)