The scrutiny over IndiGo is increasing ever since the disruptions in its flight services impacted thousands in India last week. In the latest step, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Wednesday formed an eight-member oversight team to monitor IndiGo’s current operations.
The team will examine key operational parameters, including total fleet size, average stage length, pilot strength, crew utilisation, training schedules, split-duty compliance, standby crew levels and patterns of unplanned leave. The regulator has instructed the team to submit a daily report by 6 pm until normal operations are restored.
In addition, two DGCA officers will be stationed at the Gurugram office to specifically monitor domestic and international flight cancellations, refund processing, on-time performance, passenger compensation and baggage return status.
Daily ops to be tracked
According to the order, the eight-member team includes senior flight operations inspectors Captain Vikram Sharma, Captain Kapil Manglik, Captain VP Singh, Captain Apoorva Agarwal, Captain Swati Loomba, Captain Aman Suhag, Captain Nitya Jain and Captain NJ Singh.
The officials will also track the number of flights operated daily, crew availability, and the extent of sectors affected by crew shortages. The order added that standby crew strength, for both cockpit and cabin, will be reviewed each day at every base.
DGCA summons IndiGo CEO
The DGCA has directed IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers to appear at its office on Thursday and submit a detailed report with complete data on the recent operational disruptions. Elbers has been instructed to be present at 3 pm along with senior officials from all relevant departments.
According to the order, IndiGo must provide information on flight restoration, recruitment plans for pilots and cabin crew, updated manpower strength, the number of cancelled flights, refunds processed and other operational details.