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Regulator Acts Amid Nationwide Operational Chaos

New Delhi: Aviation safety regulator DGCA has suspended four Flight Operations Inspectors (FOIs) as part of its widening probe into the massive operational breakdown at IndiGo, which has resulted in thousands of flight cancellations over the past week, leaving lakhs of passengers stranded across major airports. A senior source confirmed the action, saying, “Four FOIs at the DGCA have been suspended in connection with the recent large-scale disruptions in IndiGo’s flights.” FOIs are senior DGCA officials responsible for regulatory compliance, safety oversight, audits, and crew licensing, making their suspension a rare and significant move.

IndiGo Cancels Over 50 Flights From Bengaluru on Friday

Even as regulatory action intensifies, cancellations continue. IndiGo scrapped 54 flights from Bengaluru Airport on Friday — 31 arrivals and 23 departures — adding to the misery of travellers. On Thursday, the crisis-hit carrier had cancelled over 200 flights from Delhi and Bengaluru alone, despite claims that operations were stabilising.

Top IndiGo Leadership Summoned Again

The DGCA has called IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers and COO Isidre Porqueras to appear before its investigation panel again at 2 pm on Friday, signalling more aggressive questioning as the crisis deepens. On Thursday, officials from the regulator stationed themselves at IndiGo’s Gurugram headquarters, monitoring real-time:

• Crew deployment

• Cancellation patterns

• Unplanned leave

• Passenger refunds and compensation

• Flight scheduling and compliance

The DGCA panel also grilled Elbers for hours as part of its investigation into planning failures related to the new pilot and crew duty-time norms.

FOI Suspension Suggests Regulatory Oversight Lapses

The suspension of four FOIs indicates that the DGCA is examining not just the airline’s lapses but also possible shortcomings within its own monitoring system. FOIs are tasked with ensuring airlines meet the highest safety and operational standards, including crew rostering, training, flight dispatch operations, and audit compliance. Their suspension suggests serious concerns about whether oversight mechanisms adequately flagged or responded to warning signs before IndiGo’s operations collapsed.

Crisis Far From Over

IndiGo — which controls more than 65% of India’s domestic aviation market — has cancelled thousands of flights since December 2, peaking at 1,600 flights cancelled on December 5 alone. Despite the airline’s assurance that operations are “back to normal levels,” repeated cancellations at  major hubs indicate that disruptions are still widespread.