IndiGo operations stabilise, adequate pilots ensured: DGCA

Aviation regulator DGCA on Tuesday said IndiGo’s operations have stabilised following sustained oversight and corrective measures, with the airline now having sufficient pilots to comply with flight duty norms without disruptions.

The regulator, which had recently imposed penalties of Rs 22.20 crore on IndiGo for massive flight disruptions last month, said it continues to monitor the airline’s operations, focusing on roster integrity, crew availability, buffer adequacy, system robustness, and adherence to Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL).

During a review on January 19, IndiGo reported adequate pilot availability for operations after February 10. The airline has 2,400 Pilots in Command against a requirement of 2,280 and 2,240 First Officers versus 2,050 required. DGCA had earlier curtailed IndiGo’s winter schedule by 10 per cent until February 10 to manage the disruption.

IndiGo assured operational stability and no cancellations after February 10 based on current network, crew strength, and removal of two FDTL exemptions granted in December 2025. Between December 3 and 5, 2,507 flights were cancelled and 1,852 delayed, affecting over 3 lakh passengers. DGCA attributed the disruption to mismanagement of crew, inadequate regulatory preparedness, and gaps in software support and operational control.

The watchdog noted that IndiGo’s prior focus on maximising crew and aircraft utilisation reduced roster buffers, relying heavily on extended duty patterns and minimal recovery margins, which impacted FDTL compliance.

Following the disruptions, DGCA deployed officers at the airline’s Operations Control Centre and key airports to monitor operations and passenger handling. IndiGo has submitted weekly and fortnightly reports and participated in review meetings. The regulator had also asked for a Rs 50-crore bank guarantee to ensure long-term systemic corrections.