DGCA sacks four flight operations inspectors over IndiGo disruptions

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken decisive disciplinary action amidst the ongoing fallout from IndiGo's large-scale operational disruptions, dismissing four Flight Operations Inspectors (FOIs) who were directly responsible for overseeing the airline. This action, taken on Friday, December 12, comes as thousands of passengers continue to suffer from widespread flight cancellations and delays that have severely impacted the network of India's largest airline over the past week.

In a move to restore stability, the aviation regulator has directed IndiGo to significantly accelerate its pilot recruitment process. The airline has responded by launching an aggressive hiring push, aiming to bring on board nearly 900 pilots over the next year. This urgent recruitment drive is primarily aimed at stabilizing operations ahead of the strict Flight Duty Time Limit (FDTL) norms, which must be fully implemented across the industry by February 2026. To meet this crucial deadline, IndiGo is fast-tracking Foreign Aircrew Temporary Authorisation (FATA) approvals and onboarding both Captains and First Officers at an expedited pace.

Alongside the sacking of the inspectors, the Civil Aviation Ministry has established an eight-member oversight team specifically tasked with monitoring airport and airline functioning across the entire country. This team, drawn entirely from the DGCA’s administrative wing, is mandated to maintain a daily watch on operational performance and focus heavily on passenger welfare. Key officials on the team include Deputy Chief Flight Operations Inspector Captain Vikram Sharma, along with several Senior Flight Operations Inspectors (SFOIs) and Flight Operations Inspectors (FOIs).