The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has given IndiGo a final 24‑hour extension to respond to a show-cause notice issued on 6 December, amid widespread flight cancellations and operational disruptions across the country. The airline is now required to submit its detailed response by 6 pm on Monday, failing which the regulator may proceed ex parte, relying solely on the available records to take further action.
The notice follows scrutiny over IndiGo’s handling of its flight operations after the implementation of the revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms. The DGCA highlighted significant lapses in planning, oversight, and resource management, which contributed to widespread cancellations and delays. In addition, the regulator flagged shortcomings in passenger support, including delays in providing refunds, assistance with rebooking, and updates regarding affected flights, citing violations of passenger-rights regulations.
IndiGo has taken several measures to mitigate the impact on passengers. The airline has automatically refunded cancelled flights and waived rescheduling and cancellation charges for journeys between 5 and 15 December. By Saturday, IndiGo had processed around ₹610 crore in refunds and returned approximately 3,000 lost baggage items, according to company sources. The airline also indicated that its operations are gradually stabilizing, with plans to restore most services, targeting about 1,650 flights per day by 10 December under revised rosters.
The DGCA’s show-cause notice underscores the regulator’s focus on compliance with operational and safety norms, particularly regarding pilot duty hours and adequate resource planning. Industry experts note that this marks a critical moment for IndiGo, which remains India’s largest carrier by market share, to demonstrate robust corrective action and rebuild passenger confidence.
The airline’s management has expressed commitment to fully cooperating with the DGCA and ensuring uninterrupted services. The next 24 hours are expected to be decisive, as the regulator evaluates whether IndiGo’s response addresses operational shortcomings and safeguards passenger interests.
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