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<p data-start="71" data-end="414"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Amid the ongoing crisis triggered by massive IndiGo flight cancellations, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has terminated the contracts of four Flight Operations Inspectors (FOIs) with immediate effect. The move comes just hours before IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers is expected to appear before the aviation regulator today.</span></p>
<p data-start="416" data-end="765"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">According to an order dated December 11, the inspectors relieved from their duties include Rishi Raj Chatterjee (Deputy Chief FOI), Seema Jhamnani (Senior FOI), Anil Kumar Pokhariyal (FOI Consultant), and Priyam Kaushik (FOI Consultant). FOIs are responsible for overseeing airline safety, pilot training, and operational compliance.</span></p>
<p data-start="767" data-end="980"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Officials confirmed that the DGCA has summoned IndiGo&rsquo;s top leadership &mdash; Chief Operating Officer Isidro Porqueras and CEO Pieter Elbers &mdash; as part of an ongoing investigation into the operational breakdown.</span></p>
<p data-start="982" data-end="1159"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">&ldquo;The four-member DGCA committee summoned both executives separately regarding the investigation,&rdquo; an official said, adding that the CEO was scheduled to appear in the afternoon.</span></p>
<p data-start="1161" data-end="1409"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The crisis stems from IndiGo&rsquo;s <em data-start="1192" data-end="1217">inadequate preparedness</em> for the newly implemented Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms, which took effect on November 1. The airline has struggled to maintain schedules, leading to widespread cancellations.</span></p>
<p data-start="1411" data-end="1722"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Government data shows that IndiGo cancelled around 4,290 domestic and 64 international flights between December 1 and 9. On December 5, at the height of the disruptions, the airline cancelled 1,588 domestic flights, nearly 79% of its domestic operations, along with 35 international flights.</span></p>
<p data-start="1724" data-end="1902"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Despite the airline&rsquo;s claim of stabilising operations from December 8, disruptions continued &mdash; over 200 flights were cancelled on Thursday, and 54 more on Friday morning.</span></p>
<p data-start="1904" data-end="2152" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node=""><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The government has also criticised IndiGo for &ldquo;mismanagement&rdquo; and poor crew roster planning. In response to the crisis, authorities have ordered IndiGo &mdash; India&rsquo;s largest domestic carrier &mdash; to reduce daily operations by 10% until further notice.</span></p>
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Passengers at the IndiGo counter in Lucknow Airport

Regulator cracks down, sacks four FOIs amid IndiGo’s major operational crisis

DGCA Sacks 4 Inspectors Amid IndiGo Crisis

Regulator cracks down, sacks four FOIs amid IndiGo’s major operational crisis

December 12, 2025 | 22:28 IST