DGCA panel reviews airline's confidential response regarding massive cancellations.
As the turbulence in India’s aviation sector continues, the spotlight remains firmly on the ongoing IndiGo flight crisis. In a significant development on Sunday, the airline submitted a formal response to the Central government regarding the massive operational breakdown that has led to thousands of flight cancellations since early December.
According to sources close to the development, the details of this written submission are being treated as "highly guarded" and strictly confidential. A high-stakes meeting is scheduled for Sunday evening involving top-tier authorities, including the Civil Aviation Secretary and the Director General of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), to scrutinize the airline's explanation.
Top Leadership Summoned
The government has taken a stern stance on the disruptions. A special four-member committee, constituted by the aviation regulator, has summoned IndiGo’s senior leadership team. This includes CEO Pieter Elbers, who has been asked to appear personally to explain the root causes of the operational collapse. The committee has been given a 15-day deadline to investigate various aspects of the failure, including manpower shortages, roster mismanagement, and compliance with pilot duty norms.
Government Blames "Internal Mismanagement"
Addressing the Rajya Sabha, Union Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu did not mince words, labeling the situation as a purely operational failure on the airline’s part. He emphasised that despite clarifications provided during a November 1 meeting, the carrier failed to maintain its crew roster effectively.
Status of Operations and Refunds
While the airline is attempting to limp back to normalcy, full stability has not yet returned. Data indicates that IndiGo managed to operate 1,500 flights on Saturday and increased that number to 1,650 on Sunday. However, this is still significantly below their standard capacity of approximately 2,300 daily flights.
For passengers caught in the chaos—including those traveling to and from major hubs like Delhi, Mumbai, and potentially impacting connections to cities like Bhubaneswar—relief is being prioritized. The Ministry has directed the airline to speed up the reimbursement process. Consequently, IndiGo reports that it has already processed refunds totaling over Rs 610 crore.
The airline has issued a public apology, expressing deep regret for the disruption and assuring passengers that they are working around the clock to provide alternative travel options and full refunds.
