As DGCA steps up IndiGo scrutiny, 4 flight ops inspectors suspended over chaos

New Delhi: In another strict action against crisis-hit IndiGo, aviation regulator DGCA on Friday suspended four flight operations inspectors in connection with the recent operational fiasco. Flight Operations Inspectors (FOIs) are officials tasked with overseeing airline safety, pilot training and operational compliance. The action was taken due to negligence in the inspection and monitoring of the airline.

Scores of flights of IndiGo were cancelled over the past week, affecting the travel plans of several passengers. IndiGo blamed the shortage of pilots and the new rostering rules for the disruptions. The airline accepted that it misjudged the number of pilots required under new pilot duty and rest rules.

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IndiGo CEO to appear before DGCA panel 

Meanwhile, IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers is expected to appear before a Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) committee for the second consecutive day on Friday, to discuss the mass flight cancellations that began on December 2. On Thursday, the panel grilled him for nearly two hours on the restoration of flight operations, the hiring of pilots, and the status of refunds and compensation to all affected passengers.

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu on Thursday said that IndiGo's “gross mismanagement” and issues with new pilot duty norms were to blame for the current crisis that affected millions of passengers this month. 

 DGCA steps up IndiGo scrutiny

While IndiGo is scrambling to bounce back to normalcy following recent major flight cancellation, the DGCA and Civil Aviation Ministry are considering several stern actions against the airline. The aviation watchdog recently curtailed airline's flight schedules by 10 per cent. IndiGo is India’s largest airline with a domestic market share of nearly 65 per cent, and its operates nearly 2,200 domestic flights daily. A 10 per cent curtailment in domestic flights would mean that the airline have to cut over 200 flights daily.