Weeks after IndiGo crisis, DGCA panel submits probe report over mass flight cancellations
The DGCA set up the panel, saying that the situation indicates deficiencies in internal oversight, operational preparedness, and compliance planning, "warranting an independent examination".
New Delhi: Weeks after IndiGo, the country's largest airline, was hit by an operational crisis, the four-member panel that probed the massive flight disruptions submitted its report to the aviation regulator DGCA.
The DGCA constituted the inquiry committee, headed by DGCA Joint Director General Sanjay K Bramhane on December 5 to ascertain the circumstances that led to the operational crisis involving the country's top airline. The committee has submitted its report on Friday evening.
While details about the report could not be immediately ascertained, an official said that copies of the report have been submitted to the Civil Aviation Ministry.
IndiGo crisis
Earlier this month, a massive operational crisis hit IndiGo, forcing the airline to cancel more than 1,600 flights in a single day. The airline attributed the mass flight disruptions to inadequate planning in implementing the new pilot duty and rest rules among other reasons.
Following the crisis, the DGCA took several stern action against IndiGo, including slashing its winter schedule by 10 per cent and issuing show-cause notices to the airline's CEO, Pieter Elbers, and COO, Isidre Porqueras.
The DGCA also set up the panel, saying that the situation indicates deficiencies in internal oversight, operational preparedness, and compliance planning, "warranting an independent examination".
Why IndiGo witnessed crisis
The aviation regulator said that it had issued repeated directions to the airline for the timely preparation to implement the provisions related to the FDTL (Flight Duty Time Limitations) norms. It is alleged that IndiGo failed to forecast crew availability and update rosters despite multiple heads up and prior regulatory intimation, resulting in "cascading delays and cancellations" across its network.
The airline also accepted that it could not anticipate the actual crew requirement under the FDTL and misjudged the operation impact of the revised norms.
Subsequently, the watchdog held a review meeting with IndiGo, wherein the airline acknowledged that it had failed to anticipate the actual crew requirement under the revised norms and that significant planning and assessment gaps existed in implementing Phase-II of FDTL CAR 2024, as per the order.