IndiGo on Tuesday said it has an adequate pool of staff, including pilots, to ensure smooth and stable operations as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation's temporary relaxations on pilot duty norms come to an end on February 10.

The statement comes after India's largest airline faced widespread flight disruptions in early December, prompting regulatory action, penalties, and closer oversight.

December Disruptions Recap

IndiGo cancelled 2,507 flights between December 3 and 5, while 1,852 flights were delayed, affecting more than three lakh passengers across airports nationwide. The disruptions led the DGCA to cut the airline's winter schedule by 10 percent.

The airline's domestic market share slipped to 59.6 percent in December from 63.6 percent in November, reflecting the operational impact.

DGCA Findings

Following investigations, the DGCA identified several factors behind the chaos:

• Over-optimisation of operations
• Inadequate regulatory preparedness
• Shortcomings in system software support
• Weaknesses in management structure and operational control

Current Pilot Strength

"As assured to the regulatory authorities earlier, we are maintaining an optimum pool of employees, including pilots, to ensure stable operations across our network," an IndiGo spokesperson said.

Penalties Imposed

The DGCA imposed penalties totalling Rs 22.20 crore on IndiGo and required a Rs 50 crore bank guarantee for compliance. The regulator also issued warnings to senior management, directed removal of a senior vice president from operational responsibilities, and sought a detailed compliance report.

Pilot Body Raises Safety Concerns

The Federation of Indian Pilots has raised concerns over granting exemptions, stressing that full FDTL implementation is essential for addressing pilot fatigue. "Air safety should always be non-negotiable," FIP President CS Randhawa stated.