IndiGo flight crisis: DGCA suspends 4 flight operation inspectors responsible for pilot training and safety monitoring

India’s leading domestic airline IndiGo has been facing serious operational crisis for the past several days. While there was huge anger among the passengers due to the cancellation of thousands of flights, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has now taken major administrative action in this matter. DGCA has appointed those responsible for pilot training, safety inspection and operational compliance. Four Flight Operation Inspectors (FIOs) Has been suspended with immediate effect.

This action has been taken following the crisis at IndiGo and indications of serious lapses in operational monitoring. The operational disruptions that have continued for several days have not only affected passengers, but have also raised questions on the reliability of the country’s aviation system.

From the beginning of December, IndiGo suddenly started canceling a large number of flights.

• close to over 5,000 flights Were canceled across the country.

• in a single day up to 1,600 flights A situation like cancellation also came to light.

• Huge crowds of passengers gathered at major airports like Delhi and Bengaluru.

Travellers’ plans for business trips, medical emergency trips and examination-interviews were severely affected. Passengers stranded for hours at airports also lodged complaints of lack of information and lack of assistance.

Those who determine the duty and rest time of pilots in the aviation sector Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) Phase 2 The rules came into effect in November.

According to this:

• Maximum duty time limit of pilots reduced

• rest period extended

• Special provisions applied to night and morning flights

IndiGo failed to reorganize its crew rostering as per these new rules. Due to this, pilots were not available for many flights and the airline had to cancel flights on a large scale. The government has “Clear mismanagement by the airline” told.

The four flight operations inspectors were responsible for:

• Monitoring the quality of pilot training

• Ensuring adherence to all safety standards by the airline

• Checking compliance with safety regulations such as FDTL

• Preparing reports on operational arrangements

DGCA suspects that these officers did not take their monitoring responsibilities seriously enough, due to which the situation went out of control.

The message of this suspension is also clear—any negligence in safety and compliance will not be tolerated.

As the crisis escalated, DGCA has also summoned IndiGo CEO Peter Elbers. They will be asked to respond on the following points:

• Why were necessary preparations not made before the implementation of FDTL Phase 2?

• Why was there a huge mistake in crew rostering?

• Why were passengers not provided adequate assistance after a large number of flights were cancelled?

• Did the airline share timely information with DGCA and the ministry?

This meeting could have a major impact on further action and the operational future of IndiGo.

To take charge of the situation, DGCA officials themselves reached IndiGo headquarters and monitored the entire operation real-time.
During this time he:

• flight cancellation data

• pilot availability

• crew duty schedule

• technical reports

Did a detailed investigation.

The government recognized the crisis as the result of irresponsible management and took several steps:

• IndiGo has increased its total flights 10% discount instructions to do

• Order to speed up refund of canceled flights

• Instructions to stop other airlines from unreasonable fare hike

• DGCA ordered to keep 24×7 surveillance

IndiGo now almost every day 1950 flights Will operate, in which about 3 lakh passengers Will travel.

This crisis severely affected the plans of travelers.

• missed business meetings

• Medical emergency delayed

• Students could not appear for examinations/interviews.

• Difficult to attend family functions

Many passengers also complained of inappropriate behavior and lack of information by the airline staff.

IndiGo under DGCA watch:

• new recruitment of pilots

• Effective FDTL Compliance

• training quality improvement

• Strengthening crew management system

Such steps will have to be taken rapidly.

These steps will prove important to save not only IndiGo but the entire aviation sector from such crises in future.

The IndiGo flight crisis has emerged as the biggest operational disruption to India’s aviation sector in recent years. DGCA’s suspension of four FIOs signals that any lapse related to security and compliance will not be ignored.

The coming weeks will decide how quickly IndiGo is able to return to normal operations amid tight monitoring by the government and the DGCA.