New Delhi: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Wednesday announced the formation of an eight-member oversight team to monitor IndiGo’s operations following widespread flight disruptions that have affected thousands of passengers across India. The move comes amid mounting criticism of the airline for cancellations, delayed departures, and logistical issues related to crew shortages.

According to the official order, the oversight team comprises senior flight operations inspectors tasked with evaluating and supervising various aspects of IndiGo’s functioning. The team members include Capt Vikram Sharma, Capt Kapil Mangalik, Capt VP Singh, Capt Apoorva Agarwal, Capt Swati Loomba, Capt Aman Suhag, Capt Nitya Jain, and Capt NJ Singh.

To ensure close monitoring, the DGCA has directed that two members from this team will be stationed daily at IndiGo’s corporate office in Gurgaon, located at Emaar Capital Tower 2. This will allow real-time supervision of the airline’s operations and prompt escalation of any irregularities.

Scope of the Oversight

The DGCA team has been instructed to examine a wide range of operational metrics and performance indicators. Key areas of focus include:

• Fleet and network analysis: Reviewing the airline’s total fleet, average stage length, number of pilots, and overall network details.
• Crew utilisation: Monitoring how pilots and cabin crew are being deployed, including tracking flight duty hours, deadheading requirements, split duties, and unplanned leaves such as sick, casual, and emergency leaves.
• Operational performance: Checking the number of flights operated each day, availability of crew, and the number of sectors affected by crew shortages. The team will also review the strength of standby crew, both cockpit and cabin, at each operational base.
• Training and preparedness: Evaluating the number of crew members under training and assessing operational readiness across IndiGo’s domestic and international network.

Parallel Monitoring Team

In addition to the eight-member team, the DGCA has deployed two officers, Aishveer Singh, Deputy Director (AED), and Mani Bhushan, Senior Statistical Officer, at IndiGo’s Gurgaon office. This team will focus on passenger-facing issues, including:

• Flight cancellations and disruptions for both domestic and international operations.
• Refund processing for bookings made through the airline and online travel agencies (OTAs).
• On-time performance metrics.
• Compliance with compensation rules under the DGCA’s Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR).
• Timelines for returning misrouted or delayed baggage.

Both teams are required to submit daily reports by 6 pm to the Joint Director General (Administration) and Joint Director General Jai Prakash Pandey. The daily reporting structure aims to provide the DGCA leadership with up-to-date operational insights and ensure swift corrective action wherever necessary.

Background

IndiGo, India’s largest airline by market share, has faced major operational challenges over the past few months. Passenger complaints surged over flight cancellations, last-minute rescheduling, delayed departures, and issues related to baggage handling and refunds. Several reports indicated that crew shortages were a significant contributor to the disruptions, prompting DGCA to step in with heightened oversight.

The deployment of this team is part of the regulator’s broader strategy to maintain operational integrity and passenger safety. By stationing inspectors on-site and monitoring flight schedules, crew availability, and other operational parameters, the DGCA aims to ensure that the airline addresses ongoing problems promptly and minimizes inconvenience to travelers.

Significance

The DGCA’s move highlights the regulator’s commitment to close scrutiny of airlines in the wake of operational failures. By maintaining a hands-on approach, the authority seeks to prevent disruptions from escalating further and ensure compliance with aviation safety standards. Airlines in India, including IndiGo, are now under pressure to not only restore normal operations but also to enhance transparency, communicate effectively with passengers, and adhere to compensation guidelines under CAR rules.

With the DGCA oversight in place, passengers can expect more structured reporting and resolution of complaints related to cancellations, delays, and refunds. Meanwhile, the airline has been urged to address the root causes of disruptions, particularly issues related to crew planning, training, and duty allocation, to prevent further operational breakdowns.