Pilots' body criticises DGCA fine on IndiGo, calls Rs 22 crore penalty inadequate

Mumbai,UPDATED: Jan 18, 2026 16:26 IST

The Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP) has criticised the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for imposing what it described as an inadequate fine on IndiGo over widespread flight disruptions in December 2025, and has urged the government to review the findings of the inquiry.

Reacting to the DGCA’s action, FIP president Captain CS Randhawa said the government-appointed inquiry covered only a limited period, even though cancellations had begun earlier and continued well beyond the dates cited in the report. He noted that while the report examined disruptions between December 3 and 5, flight cancellations had started on December 2 and operations were restored to near-normal levels only by mid-December, with delays persisting on several routes.

Randhawa said the penalties imposed on the airline were “far too low” given the scale and duration of the disruption. He also flagged the absence of accountability, claiming that no action had been taken against any individual within IndiGo or the aviation regulator.

The FIP president further reiterated the pilots’ body’s long-standing demand to revoke the Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) extension granted to IndiGo, stating that the federation had been raising the issue with the government since December 2025.

He said the federation would continue to press the government to review both the inquiry and the regulatory decisions linked to the disruptions.

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