The Union Government is considering establishing a parliamentary committee to probe the nationwide wave of flight cancellations by IndiGo. It may also impose a penalty of up to Rs. 1,000 crore on the airline.
According to an internal source at the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the panel would look into the root causes of the disruption, regulatory oversight, and the airline's internal operating practices, as well as the possibility of recurrence. In cases of negligence or lapses, severe legal and regulatory action, including a substantial penalty, may follow.
The crisis began soon after the new FDTL rules kicked in. Aimed at longer rest for pilots and crew, especially by limiting night duties, the new rules compelled airlines to revise their crew rosters and manpower plans.
Though regulators had given airlines sufficient lead time, IndiGo reportedly did not hire enough pilots and staff. The result was that it cancelled hundreds of flights every day, leading to mass disruptions across the country.
Early in December, the airline canceled over 500 flights on a single day. The extensive impact saw thousands of passengers affected, with many stranded at airports, reporting baggage mismanagement, and alleging a lack of adequate communication from the airline.
In response, the Ministry on December 5 constituted a four‑member high‑level inquiry panel and asked it to submit its findings to the aviation regulator DGCA within 15 days.
Meanwhile, the parliamentary committee that oversees transport, tourism, and culture, headed by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture, is likely to summon top executives from IndiGo, and possibly DGCA officials, for explanations.
The government has also signaled that it intends to ‘set an example’ through strict action if non‑compliance or mismanagement is established. As flights gradually resume, the probe aims to not only assess accountability but also to improve regulatory safeguards and contingency planning to prevent a repeat of such large‑scale disruption.