DGCA Rejects IndiGo's Explanation On Crisis, Seeks Time-Bound Solution

New Delhi: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has rejected IndiGo's explanation on the crisis created in the aviation sector after the airline cancelled and delayed scores of flights across multiple airports for the third consecutive day today. The regulatory body, which was probing the matter, has stated that it has no accountability for the cancellation of flights, which is completely the airline's responsibility.

The situation concerning the flight cancellations across India was alleged to have been caused by pilot shortage due to new Flight Duty Time Limit (FDTL) norms. However, the DGCA stated that the change in norms has been in the works for six months. The DGCA also stressed that crew management is solely the airline's responsibility.

Rejecting the reasons cited by IndiGo for flight delays and cancellations, the airline watchdog sought a time-bound solution from IndiGo regarding the issue. This comes after the DGCA summoned the airline's senior officials for an emergency meeting.

Earlier, IndiGo had requested the DGCA to roll back the FDTL norms or give it some more time for its implementation.

IndiGo's Explanation

In a press release, IndiGo had stated that a multitude of “unforeseen operational challenges including minor technology glitches, schedule changes linked to the winter season, adverse weather conditions, increased congestion in the aviation system and the implementation of updated crew rostering rules (Flight Duty Time Limitations) had a negative compounding impact" on their operations.

‘Artificial Crisis’

Airline Pilots’ Association of India (ALPA) President Sam Thomas, while speaking to Republic, stated that the IndiGo crisis is “artificial in nature”. “This is a tactic that airlines use when something is not going their way. So they create a small artificial crisis and put pressure on the regulator and the ministry to pull back on whatever [changes] they don't like," he added.

He stressed that the DGCA gave the airlines two years to comply with the rules.

The ALPA had suggested in an official statement that the pilot shortage was partly due to poor workforce planning and partly an attempt to pressure the DGCA into diluting the newly imposed Flight Duty Time Limit (FDTL) norms.

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