DGCA Issues Eight Orders After Inquiry into IndiGo's December 2025 Disruptions

InterGlobe Aviation has acknowledged eight DGCA orders following an inquiry into operational disruptions that occurred between December 3-5, 2025, resulting in financial penalties totaling ₹22.20 crore. The airline's board has committed to comprehensive systemic reforms and improved internal procedures following the regulatory action disclosed under Regulation 30 of SEBI regulations on January 17, 2025.

DGCA Inquiry and Financial Penalties

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation conducted a detailed inquiry into the December 2025 operational disruptions, leading to multiple regulatory orders with significant financial implications.

Penalty Component:	Amount	Details
One-time Systemic Penalties:	₹1.80 crore	Non-compliance with Civil Aviation Requirements (CARs)
Continued Non-compliance Penalty:	₹20.40 crore	Revised FDTL CAR violations for 68 days (Dec 5, 2025 to Feb 10, 2026)
Total Financial Penalty:	₹22.20 crore	Aggregate amount
Bank Guarantee Requirement:	₹50.00 crore	Under IndiGo Systemic Reform Assurance Scheme (ISRAS)

The bank guarantee will be governed under the IndiGo Systemic Reform Assurance Scheme (ISRAS), with phased release linked to DGCA-verified implementation of systemic reform measures.

Executive Actions and Disciplinary Measures

The DGCA orders include disciplinary actions against key executives responsible for operational oversight during the disruption period.

Position:	Action Taken	Reason
Chief Executive Officer:	Caution Issued	Inadequate overall oversight of flight operations
Chief Operating Officer:	Warning Issued	Failure to assess Winter Schedule 2025 and revised FDTL provisions impact
Senior VP - Operations Control Centre:	Warning + Operational Relief	Relieved of current responsibilities, barred from accountable positions
Deputy Head - Flight Operations:	Warning	Operational and supervisory lapses
AVP - Crew Resource Planning:	Warning	Roster-management related lapses
Director - Flight Operations:	Warning	Operational lapses

Regulatory Violations and Compliance Issues

The DGCA orders stem from non-adherence to directions issued under Rule 133A of the Aircraft Rules, 1937. The inquiry committee specifically examined the airline's compliance with revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) and other Civil Aviation Requirements during the three-day disruption period.

The continued non-compliance penalty of ₹20.40 crore covers a 68-day period from December 5, 2025, to February 10, 2026, indicating ongoing regulatory violations beyond the initial disruption period.

Board Commitment and Future Actions

Following the DGCA orders, InterGlobe Aviation's board has committed to addressing the identified operational issues through comprehensive systemic reforms. The company has promised to improve internal procedures to prevent similar disruptions in the future, demonstrating acknowledgment of the regulatory concerns raised by the aviation authority.

Despite the severity of the penalties, DGCA acknowledged that InterGlobe Aviation restored normal operations within a short period following the December 2025 disruptions. The company is currently reviewing the DGCA orders and will take necessary actions as required, with no additional material impact on other business activities communicated as part of the regulatory orders.

1 Day	5 Days	1 Month	6 Months	1 Year	5 Years
+4.32%	+2.09%	-0.58%	-16.89%	+20.27%	+210.22%

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has announced that all refunds for Interglobe Aviation flights cancelled between December 3-5, 2025 have been fully processed and cleared to passengers' original payment sources. The aviation regulator confirmed this development through an official press note, marking the completion of refund processing for one of the most significant operational disruptions in recent aviation history.

Refund Processing and Compensation Framework

The DGCA had been actively engaging with IndiGo regarding refunds and compensation for passengers affected by the operational disruptions during the three-day period. The regulator emphasized that passengers whose flights were cancelled within 24 hours of scheduled departure during this window may claim compensation under the Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) Section 3, Series M, Part IV, where applicable.

Compensation Details:	Information
Refund Status:	Fully processed and cleared
Refund Period:	December 3-5, 2025 cancellations
Compensation Eligibility:	Flights cancelled within 24 hours
Claim Submission:	Through IndiGo website

IndiGo's Gesture of Care Program

Beyond regulatory requirements, IndiGo has implemented an additional compensation measure termed "Gesture of Care" (GoC) for affected passengers. This program specifically targets passengers whose flights were cancelled or delayed by more than three hours during the December 3-5 period.

GoC Program Benefits:	Details
Voucher Value:	Two vouchers of ₹5,000 each
Total Benefit:	₹10,000 per eligible passenger
Validity Period:	12 months from issuance
Eligibility Check:	Available on IndiGo website

Root Cause and Regulatory Response

The operational disruptions trace back to the implementation of new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms on November 1, 2025. These regulations created a pilot shortage that escalated into more than 3,500 flight cancellations across the network. The DGCA responded with temporary exemptions, including capped fares and enforced refunds, while the situation extended into January with additional regulatory scrutiny, including a Competition Commission of India (CCI) probe.

Passenger Advisory

The DGCA has urged passengers to ensure accurate mobile numbers and email addresses are provided during booking to enable timely communication regarding schedule changes. This recommendation aims to improve passenger notification systems and reduce inconvenience during future operational disruptions.