India&rsquo;s aviation regulator DGCA has granted IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers and COO Isidre Porqueras a one-time 24-hour extension to respond to show-cause notices issued over the airline&rsquo;s week-long operational meltdown. The regulator made it clear no further extension will be granted, signalling rising scrutiny as thousands of passengers faced delays, cancellations, and misplaced baggage across the country. In their request, the IndiGo executives said they needed &ldquo;adequate time&rdquo; to address the scale and complexity of disruptions.
According to officials, the notices accuse IndiGo of serious lapses in operational planning, oversight, and adherence to key provisions of the Aircraft Rules, 1937 and the new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms. The DGCA has also stressed that IndiGo failed to provide mandatory support services and timely information to stranded passengers. &ldquo;As CEO, you are responsible for ensuring reliable operations and essential passenger facilities,&rdquo; the regulator reportedly told Elbers.
The DGCA is now examining all records with a four-member inquiry committee, which has two weeks to submit its report. Stringent action is expected as the airline continues to recover from the worst disruption in its history, a crisis fuelled primarily by crew shortages triggered by the new FDTL rules, for which the airline &ldquo;misjudged&rdquo; staffing requirements. Despite temporary relaxations granted by the regulator, the fallout exposed IndiGo&rsquo;s vulnerability due to its massive, high-frequency network and heavy dependence on night-time operations.
IndiGo, which operates over 2,300 daily flights, has begun to stabilise its schedule, operating around 1,650 flights on Sunday with an on-time performance of roughly 75%. The airline said it now has &ldquo;growing confidence&rdquo; of restoring full normalcy by December 10. Refunds worth ₹610 crore have already been processed, and the airline claims it is &ldquo;getting back on track step by step,&rdquo; even as the regulator prepares to decide the fate of its top leadership.

IndiGo leaders granted 24-hour extension as probe tightens over massive flight chaos

DGCA Extends Deadline for IndiGo Chiefs

IndiGo leaders granted 24-hour extension as probe tightens over massive flight chaos

December 8, 2025 | 10:06 IST