DGCA and Ministry of Civil Aviation to crack whip on Indigo with expected show cause notice to Indigo CEO expected!

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Ministry of Civil Aviation have intensified scrutiny on IndiGo amid a severe operational crisis, marked by over 1,000 flight cancellations in five days due to pilot shortages, crew rostering violations, and Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) lapses. While no formal show-cause notice to the CEO is publicly confirmed, sources indicate the government is exploring Pieter Elbers’ removal—a rare intervention—alongside exemplary fines and bi-weekly operational reviews. The ministry has imposed emergency fare caps on affected domestic routes to curb opportunistic pricing, mandated full refunds by 8 PM Sunday (December 7), zero rescheduling fees, and baggage delivery within 48 hours. DGCA is conducting real-time monitoring, field inspections, and an inquiry into FDTL non-compliance, with potential penalties up to license suspension. IndiGo claims 95% network recovery, but disruptions persist at major hubs like Bengaluru and Delhi, prompting PMO briefings. This escalates regulatory pressure on India’s dominant carrier.