India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has issued a show-cause notice to IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers following a week-long operational crisis that led to widespread flight delays and cancellations across the country. The regulator has sought a response within 24 hours, warning that any failure to reply within the stipulated timeframe could result in the matter being decided ex parte.

In its notice, the DGCA said the recent disruption of IndiGo’s scheduled flights caused “severe inconvenience, hardship and distress” to passengers, and reflected serious shortcomings in the airline’s internal systems. According to the regulator, the primary cause of the operational breakdown appeared to be IndiGo’s failure to make adequate preparations for the revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) scheme, which governs how long flight crew can remain on duty and the mandatory rest periods required between flights.

The regulator observed that the crisis pointed to major lapses in planning, oversight, and resource management on the part of the airline. It noted that, as chief executive officer, Pieter Elbers is responsible for ensuring the effective management of the airline and the reliability of its operations, including the provision of necessary facilities and support systems for passengers. The DGCA stated that IndiGo had failed to make timely and appropriate arrangements to maintain operational stability and passenger comfort.

The notice further stated that the scale of the disruptions exposed prima facie non-compliance with statutory provisions under Indian aviation law. Specifically, the DGCA referred to potential violations of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, and the Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) that govern duty periods, flight duty periods, flight time limitations, and prescribed rest periods for flight crew engaged in scheduled air transport operations.

According to the regulator, the non-provisioning of adequate support systems and operational adjustments to implement the revised FDTL framework was at the core of the problem. The DGCA said the airline should have anticipated the impact of the new rules and ensured smoother implementation to avoid such large-scale service breakdowns.

The notice cited possible breaches of Rule 42A of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, and CAR Section 7, Series J, Part III, Issue III (Revision 2), which lay down detailed safety and welfare standards for flight crew. The DGCA emphasised that compliance with these provisions is not optional but a fundamental requirement for the safe and orderly conduct of scheduled air transport in India.

By directly addressing the CEO, the regulator made it clear that accountability rests at the highest level of management. The DGCA has asked Elbers to explain within 24 hours why enforcement action should not be taken against the airline for these alleged lapses. It has also made it clear that if the airline fails to respond within the given deadline, the matter may be decided without further hearing, which could lead to regulatory penalties or other enforcement measures.

The issuance of this show-cause notice marks one of the sternest official responses to the ongoing IndiGo crisis so far. It highlights the regulator’s intent to hold airlines strictly accountable for operational preparedness, compliance with safety regulations, and the protection of passenger interests. As the aviation industry watches closely, the response from IndiGo’s top management is expected to play a critical role in determining the next steps in this unfolding aviation crisis.