A high-ranking expatriate member of IndiGo’s senior management, not the CEO, is reportedly under official scrutiny and possible regulatory action is expected. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has assembled a panel of eight flight operations inspectors (FOI) to oversee IndiGo’s activities until the carrier’s operations reach stability. This intervention follows recent disruptions and concerns over management decisions that led to a reduction in flight schedules, creating ripple effects within the Indian aviation sector.
According to a Times of India report, the FOI panel identified vulnerabilities in IndiGo’s operational framework, particularly within its Operations Control Center (OCC), which emerged as a significant weakness. After the collapse of the OCC system, the airline began issuing pilot rosters of only two days, limiting their ability to plan ahead.
The two-day roster system will continue until the collapsed OCC system is revived, people familiar with the matter said. The source said it is now not just about finding the pilots, but also ensuring that pilots are trained to operate in low visibility conditions at airports where there will be fog, including Delhi, Amritsar and Lucknow.
Flight operations at Hindon Airport have been halved, with arrivals and departures reduced from 25 each in summer to 12 each. Two more IndiGo flights have been suspended until February. Operational limitations at Hindon, including restricted hours and limited parking, have compounded these challenges.
Competing carriers have been exploring options to offset the impact of IndiGo’s reduced schedules. Air India has proposed operating up to 275 additional flights this month, while Akasa Air, having fully utilized its current fleet, has sought clarification from authorities on how long IndiGo’s cuts would persist. However, industry sources warn that these measures can only provide temporary and partial relief.
Operational issues have also affected regulatory staff, with several FOIs expressing displeasure over the dismissal of four colleagues who allegedly failed to prevent recent disruptions at IndiGo.
