NEW DELHI: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has summoned IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers for a second round of questioning on Friday (Dec 12) as the regulator intensifies its probe into the airline’s widespread operational collapse.
Elbers, who met the DGCA’s inquiry panel on Thursday, has been called back as the watchdog digs deeper into the chain of lapses that triggered the large-scale disruptions, grounded hundreds of flights and left thousands of passengers stranded.
The move signals the regulator’s continued scrutiny of what is being described as one of the most severe operational breakdowns in recent years.
This time, a four-member team is expected to question him, according to reports.
DGCA steps up monitoring of IndiGo operations
To determine the underlying causes, the DGCA has set up an eight-member special team to monitor IndiGo’s functioning while the crisis unfolds. Two members of the team will be stationed at the airline’s corporate headquarters to observe daily processes and identify operational gaps that may be contributing to the sustained delays and cancellations.
The intensified oversight comes amid widespread chaos at major airports, where thousands of passengers have been caught in long queues following cancellations, delays and baggage bottlenecks.
Airline signals early signs of stabilisation
Despite the regulator’s intervention, IndiGo said operations are gradually improving. An IndiGo spokesperson said that the airline is “now operating 1,900+ flights that seamlessly connect all 138 destinations across our network.”
Board brings in external experts; Chairman issues apology
IndiGo Chairman Vikram Singh Mehta on Thursday said the Board will rope in external technical experts to work with the management and determine the root causes of the crisis. The intention, he said, is to ensure that a collapse of this scale does not occur again.
Mehta also issued a public apology to passengers affected between Dec 3 and 5, acknowledging that thousands missed family events, business engagements and medical appointments, while many international connections were disrupted.
“We are truly, truly sorry,” he said, noting that baggage delays had compounded the turmoil.
Explaining the Board’s silence over the past week, Mehta said it was important to allow the management, led by CEO Elbers, to prioritise operational recovery before making public statements.
“IndiGo is now operating more than 1,900 flights a day, connecting all 138 destinations, with on-time performance back to normal levels,” he said. - The Statesman/ANN
