‘Failed in your duty:’ DGCA issues showcause to IndiGo CEO & accountable manager

IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers has received a show cause notice from aviation watchdog DGCA for mass flight disruptions since December 2. The notice cites alleged operational lapses and inadequate passenger support, demanding a response within 24 hours. A four-member committee has been formed to investigate the issue and recommend preventive measures.
New Delhi: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Saturday issued show cause notices to IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers & the airline’s accountable manager. They have to reply within 24 hours to the same. The airline is staring at some serious regulatory action. The regulator’s notice is least to have pointed out that the main reason for for the flight disruptions was not preparing to implement the new flight duty time limitation (FDTL) that had come into force on Nov 1, 2025. The notice is learnt to say there were lapses in planning, oversight and resource management for the same which is violative of the rules. New Delhi: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Saturday issued show cause notices to IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers & the airline’s accountable manager who is also the airline’s COO Isidre Porqueras. They both have to reply within 24 hours to the same. The airline is staring at some serious regulatory action.
Aviation Meltdown Escalates As IndiGo Cancels 400 Flights And Government Enforces Fare Controls
The regulator’s notice is least to have pointed out that the main reason for for the flight disruptions was not preparing to implement the new flight duty time limitation (FDTL) that had come into force on Nov 1, 2025. The notice is learnt to say there were lapses in planning, oversight and resource management for the same which is violative of the rules. Apart from these lapses, the notice also points out that IndiGo neither gave required information on flight cancellations to passenger, nor did it provide facilities that have to be mandatorily given in cases of cancellations and delays. “Such large-scale operational failures indicate significant lapses in planning, oversight, and resource management, and is prima facie non-compliance on the part of the airline… as the CEO (and accountable manager) you are responsible for ensuring effective management of the airline but you have failed in your duty to ensure timely arrangements for conduct of reliable operations and the availability of requisite facilities to the passengers,” the notice says. Highly placed govt sources say accountability will be fixed and action taken against all those found responsible for the unprecedented mess IndiGo passengers have faced in past few days. “This kind of thing is simply not acceptable. Heads will have to roll,” said a senior official. IndiGo is staring at significant financial penalties from govt. “We have so far not asked for anyone to be removed as that will further hamper the recovery of the airline that has stalled. Once the schedule integrity is restored, that issue will be looked at,” said sources.
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