New Delhi: The aviation regulator has terminated four flight operations inspectors following last week’s large-scale disruptions across IndiGo’s network.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) removed Deputy Chief FOI Rishi Raj Chatterjee, Senior FOI Seema Jhamnani and inspectors Anil Kumar Pokhriyal and Priyam Kaushik, asking them to return to their parent organisations.
The officers had oversight of IndiGo’s preparedness for the revised pilot duty and rest norms.
The move comes amid questions over why IndiGo was allowed a 10 per cent winter schedule expansion despite concerns about pilot availability.
The airline’s failure to comply with the second phase of Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) rules, effective November 1, led to thousands of cancellations.
The DGCA has summoned IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers on December 12 to review recovery efforts and pilot hiring plans. A four-member committee is examining accountability within the airline and the regulator.
Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu has criticised IndiGo’s planning and warned of action once the inquiry report is completed. Temporary exemptions are currently helping stabilise operations.
