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IndiGo Tells DGCA It Can Sustain Operations Under New Pilot Duty Rules, May Trim Flights Briefly

With temporary pilot duty-rule exemptions expiring Feb 10, regulators are requiring proof that crew rosters can meet stricter limits.

Overview

  • After a review on Monday, IndiGo assured the DGCA it will avoid fresh disruption once exemptions lapse and signaled possible short-term network readjustments.
  • To minimize cuts, the airline plans to shift some A320 routes to its ATR fleet, building on a 10% schedule reduction already in place through the winter season.
  • The DGCA continues daily scrutiny and on-site monitoring through Feb 10, requires weekly compliance reports, and has tied a Rs 50 crore bank guarantee to verified reforms under ISRAS.
  • The regulator last week levied a record Rs 22.2 crore penalty, warned senior leaders including the CEO and COO, and directed the removal of the operations control head after finding over‑optimised rosters and weak FDTL implementation.
  • Sources say IndiGo is hiring pilots, accelerating command upgrades, and running roster dry runs to maintain its curtailed schedule, while pilots’ groups and a traveler survey criticized the fine as too small even as the stock rose on views it was modest.