DGCA extends deadline for IndiGo CEO Pieter Elber’s reply to show-cause notice; warns of action upon failure

IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers was granted another 24 hours by the DGCA on Sunday, after request, to submit his reply to the show-cause notice issued over the recent large-scale flight disruptions that affected thousands of passengers across the country.

The aviation regulator, however, cautioned that failure to submit a complete and detailed reply within the extended timeline would prompt the DGCA to proceed ex parte. The aviation body added that the authority continues to closely monitor the situation, as flight operations progressively stabilise following days of widespread disruptions.

The DGCA also notified that no further exemptions, after 6pm on Monday, will be granted to Elbers to respond to the show-cause issued.





The notice was issued on Saturday after IndiGo recorded more than 1,000 flight cancellations in a single day, the highest by any Indian airline in the country’s aviation history.

In its notice, the DGCA said the disruptions stemmed largely from the airline’s failure to put in place adequate measures to smoothly implement the revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) approved for pilots.

Also Read | IndiGo cancels 650 flights as disruptions linger on Sunday

Holding the CEO responsible for overall management, the regulator said Elbers had failed to ensure timely operational planning and the availability of essential facilities for passengers.

The DGCA directed him to explain within 24 hours why enforcement action should not be initiated under the Aircraft Rules and applicable Civil Aviation Requirements.

Moreover, a separate show-cause notice was also issued to IndiGo’s Accountable Manager.

According to the airline, the disruptions resulted from the rollout of the second phase of new pilot duty and rest norms, which came into effect from November 1, along with other factors.

The changes in the rest norms included extending the night duty window, reducing the number of permissible night landings from six to two, and increasing mandatory weekly rest periods.

Also Read | IndiGo Crisis: Rs 610 crore refunds processed to passengers, says Civil Aviation Ministry

In the aftermath, IndiGo received temporary relaxations from the DGCA, including reverting to the earlier night duty definition and allowing pilots to operate up to six night landings, in an effort to stabilise operations.

The Gurugram-based airline, which operates around 2,300 flights daily, said it was gradually restoring services.

The tighter FDTL norms had earlier drawn objections from other domestic carriers as well, including Air India, which had raised concerns about crew availability and operational constraints during the transition.