Government looks to add aviation experts to airline's leadership.
The ongoing chaos involving India’s largest airline, IndiGo, may result in consequences far more severe than a simple regulatory warning. Following a disastrous week that saw over 3,200 flights cancelled, the central government is reportedly considering a push to restructure the IndiGo board.
The disruption, which left thousands of passengers stranded and sparked outrage across social media platforms, stems from the airline's failure to properly implement the new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL). These norms, designed to ensure pilots get adequate rest, required a roster adjustment that the airline struggled to manage, leading to a collapse in their schedule.
A Need for Technical Expertise
While the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has already issued a show-cause notice, sources indicate the government believes the root cause lies in governance. The current board of InterGlobe Aviation (IndiGo’s parent company) is packed with high-profile corporate names, including former Shell India chairman Vikram Singh Mehta and former NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant. However, there is a growing sentiment that the board lacks sufficient members with deep, technical aviation expertise.
With IndiGo commanding a massive 65 percent market share, officials feel it is critical to have directors who can scrutinize complex operational details—such as network design, crew utilization, and ground time—rather than relying solely on managerial reports. The goal is to ensure operational risks are flagged at the highest level before they turn into a crisis.
The "Gangwal Factor" and Future Steps
Industry observers point out that the airline previously benefited from the intense operational oversight of co-founder Rakesh Gangwal. Gangwal, an industry veteran, was known for his focus on "sweating assets" and rigorous discipline. Since his departure from the board and the shift toward a purely professional management model, critics argue that the "founder-led" shock absorber against such disruptions has been lost.
The recent implementation of FDTL phase 2, which increases weekly rest periods for pilots to 48 hours and restricts night landings, exposed these gaps in planning. As the government reviews the situation, the focus is shifting from immediate damage control to ensuring the IndiGo board has the right mix of experts to prevent a repeat of this meltdown.
