Mumbai, December 8, 2025: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)-appointed panel investigating widespread flight disruptions at IndiGo is expected to summon the airline’s Chief Executive Officer Pieter Elbers and Chief Operating Officer Isidre Porqueras on Wednesday, according to sources familiar with the matter. The move comes as the regulatory body intensifies its probe into operational failures that led to the cancellation of over 1,600 flights across India last week, affecting thousands of passengers and raising questions about crew planning and rostering practices.

The panel, comprising four senior DGCA officials—Joint Director General Sanjay Brahamane, Deputy Director General Amit Gupta, senior Flight Operations Inspector Kapil Manglik, and Flight Operations Inspector Lokesh Rampal—has been tasked with identifying the root causes behind the large-scale disruptions. The scope of the probe includes examining manpower allocation, fluctuating crew rostering systems, and the airline’s preparedness to implement newly revised duty period and rest norms for pilots.

Announced on December 5 by DGCA Director General Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, the committee is also expected to evaluate the extent of compliance with the revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) provisions. This includes analyzing gaps admitted by the airline and ascertaining accountability and responsibility for planning failures that led to operational breakdowns. The panel has been instructed to submit its report within 15 days of its formation.

Sources indicate that the CEO and COO will be summoned to provide first-hand accounts of operational decision-making, manpower allocation, and the airline’s strategy to implement the phase-2 FDTL norms introduced this year. The panel aims to determine whether lapses in planning and preparation directly contributed to the unprecedented cancellations that left passengers stranded across major airports in India.

Last Friday, IndiGo, which operates approximately 2,300 daily flights, cancelled 1,600 services. The airline attributed the disruption primarily to the revised phase-2 FDTL norms, citing insufficient crew planning and rostering preparedness to handle the changes. The new norms, applicable to all domestic carriers, came into force in two phases—July 1 and November 1, 2025—and were designed to enhance pilot rest periods, improve safety standards, and regulate night flying hours.

Under the updated FDTL rules, weekly rest periods for crew members were increased to 48 hours, the number of night hours extended, and the number of permissible night landings limited to two, down from six under previous norms. The rules were initially opposed by several domestic carriers, including IndiGo and Air India, which cited additional crew requirements and operational challenges as barriers to immediate compliance. However, following directives from the Delhi High Court, the DGCA implemented the norms in a phased manner, granting temporary relaxations for airlines like IndiGo and Air India until February 10, 2026.

Meanwhile, the DGCA has already issued show-cause notices to both Elbers and Porqueras regarding the ongoing operational disruptions. The notices require the airline’s top management to provide detailed explanations for the failures, outlining corrective measures and justifications for lapses in adherence to the revised duty and rest provisions. Initially, the DGCA had set a deadline of 6 pm on Monday for replies, granting the airline a one-time extension to respond to the regulatory concerns.

The panel will also assess whether the airline’s contingency plans, including staffing reserves and backup crew arrangements, were sufficient to handle peak operational demands under the new FDTL norms. The inquiry will delve into scheduling practices, night flying policies, and resource management strategies to understand why the airline failed to maintain its usual service levels despite prior notice of the regulatory changes.

IndiGo’s operational disruptions sparked widespread criticism, with passengers facing long delays, flight cancellations, and logistical challenges across the country. Industry observers have noted that the introduction of the revised FDTL rules, while aimed at enhancing safety and reducing pilot fatigue, has tested the preparedness and flexibility of airlines’ operational frameworks.

The DGCA panel’s summoning of the CEO and COO underscores the seriousness with which regulators are treating the matter. By holding top management accountable, the DGCA aims to send a clear message to airlines regarding the importance of compliance with operational norms and proactive planning in line with regulatory expectations.

The probe is expected to provide clarity on whether the disruptions were primarily a result of non-compliance, inadequate preparation, or structural challenges in the airline’s crew management system. Additionally, the findings may inform future regulatory guidelines and operational standards for domestic carriers operating under the newly implemented FDTL norms.

IndiGo has maintained that it is working to restore full operational capacity while addressing passenger concerns, including rescheduling flights, processing refunds, and ensuring baggage handling. A Crisis Management Group, set up on December 4, continues to meet daily to monitor the ongoing situation and coordinate remedial measures across affected airports.

As the investigation progresses, the DGCA panel will scrutinize every aspect of IndiGo’s operational and management practices, including pilot rostering, crew allocation, and adherence to FDTL requirements. The panel’s findings are expected to play a crucial role in ensuring that such large-scale disruptions do not recur, while also reinforcing accountability at the highest levels of airline management.

The situation highlights the challenges of implementing new regulatory norms in a complex domestic aviation sector, where large networks and high-frequency operations require meticulous planning and robust contingency mechanisms. The outcome of the DGCA panel’s inquiry will be closely watched by the aviation industry, regulators, and passengers alike, as it will likely set a precedent for enforcing compliance and operational discipline across Indian airlines.