Arya News - The DGCA’s directive came a day after the Ministry of Civil Aviation issued an order cutting the number of flights that IndiGo can operate by 10 per cent after the massive cancellation of flights by the crisis-ridden airline due to an acute pilot shortage under the new flight duty limitation rules.
NEW DELHI – Aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Wednesday summoned IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers to appear before the regulator on December 11 afternoon.
The DGCA’s directive came a day after the Ministry of Civil Aviation issued an order cutting the number of flights that IndiGo can operate by 10 per cent after the massive cancellation of flights by the crisis-ridden airline due to an acute pilot shortage under the new flight duty limitation rules.
The DGCA also issued an order stating that in view of passenger inconvenience caused due to large-scale disruptions in the operations of IndiGo Airlines at various airports across the country, it has been decided to constitute an Oversight Team comprising eight members.
The Aviation regulator also directed Elbers to submit comprehensive data and updates regarding the airline’s recent operational disruptions.
According to the DGCA directive, the CEO, along with senior officials from all relevant departments, has been instructed to attend the meeting and present detailed information across key operational areas.
The DGCA has sought updates on flight restoration, including the status of restoring flight services across the network, progress in re-accommodating affected passengers, priority handling for vulnerable travellers such as the elderly, medical passengers, and unaccompanied minors, and the monitoring mechanism to ensure timely completion of the restoration.
The regulator has also asked for IndiGo’s pilot and crew recruitment plan, including the current strength, the recruitment and training pipeline for the upcoming months, and measures implemented to prevent roster shortages and flight duty time limitations (FDTL)-related issues.
On cancellation refunds, IndiGo is required to provide data on the number of cancelled flights, refunds processed, refund turnaround timelines for both direct and OTA bookings, and compliance with DGCA Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) provisions.
The DGCA has further sought details on baggage return, including delayed or misrouted baggage cases, steps taken to trace and return luggage, average timelines, and compensation offered as per regulations.
As per DGCA, the concerned airline must present the performance of its SMS and email alert systems, the improvements initiated to enable real-time communication about delays and cancellations, and enhanced coordination between the Operations Control Centre, airports, and customer support.
Moreover, the DGCA has asked for updates on rerouting policies after cancellations, including the process followed for rerouting passengers on alternate flights, data on rerouting within IndiGo’s network and on other airlines, and compliance with DGCA requirements for rerouting passengers at no additional cost.
Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu on Tuesday said: “The Ministry considers it necessary to curtail the overall Indigo routes, which will help in stabilising the airline’s operations and lead to reduced cancellations. A curtailment of 10 per cent has been ordered.”
“While abiding with the order, Indigo will continue to cover all its destinations as before. Indigo has been instructed to comply with all the directives of the Ministry, including fare capping and passenger convenience measures without any exception,” he added.
The minister also pointed out that during the last week, many passengers faced severe inconvenience due to IndiGo’s internal mismanagement of crew rosters, flight schedules, and inadequate communication. While the enquiry and necessary actions are underway, another meeting with Indigo’s top management was held to review the stabilisation measures, he pointed out.