DGCA panel submits report on IndiGo operational meltdown

A four-member panel of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has submitted its report to the Civil Aviation Ministry on IndiGo's operational meltdown earlier this month. Sources said the report has been confidentially filed. The committee was tasked with assessing the circumstances that led to the massive disruption and investigating the cancellations and delays involving the airline. It was initially given a 15-day deadline to submit its report, which was later extended until December 26.

The probe panel was mandated to examine several aspects, including flight planning, crew management, and regulatory oversight. The objective is to determine whether shortcomings in these areas contributed to the large-scale disruptions. The operational meltdown has been linked to the implementation of new FDTL rules, which came into force on November 1. These rules increase mandatory rest periods for pilots, limit night-time flying duties, and require at least 48 hours of rest each week.