Aviation Advisors LLC, led by veteran pilot Captain John Illson, has been tasked with carrying out the assessment. The decision comes as IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers and COO Isidre Porqueras face questioning by a four-member panel set up by the DGCA to investigate the widespread flight disruptions
The airline experienced thousands of cancellations between December 1 and 9 due to crew shortages and challenges in implementing the new pilot duty and rest regulations. Representational pic
IndiGo’s board on Friday announced the appointment of an external aviation expert to conduct a root-cause analysis of the airline’s recent operational disruptions, news agency PTI reported.
The independent review will begin at the earliest and a comprehensive report will be submitted to the board upon completion, the airline said.
Aviation Advisors LLC, led by veteran pilot Captain John Illson, has been tasked with carrying out the assessment, PTI reported.
The decision comes as IndiGo Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Pieter Elbers and Chief Operating Officer (COO) Isidre Porqueras face questioning by a four-member panel set up by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to investigate the widespread flight disruptions. The panel, comprising Joint Director General Sanjay Brahamane, Deputy Director General Amit Gupta, senior Flight Operations Inspectors (FOIs) Kapil Manglik and Lokesh Rampal is examining manpower planning, fluctuating rosters, and the airline’s readiness to implement new duty period and rest regulations for pilots, effective November 1.
In a related development, the DGCA on Friday dismissed four FOIs over operational lapses at the Gurugram-based airline.
“The four FOIs, under various categories, on a contract basis, are hereby relieved from the DGCA with immediate effect to join their respective parent organisations,” the order stated.
Indigo flight cancellations: DGCA intensifies oversight as airline launches independent review
FOIs are senior officials deputed from air operators to ensure aviation safety, monitor airline operations, inspect and certify personnel, and verify regulatory compliance.
IndiGo Chairman Vikram Singh Mehta had earlier said in a video message that the board had decided to involve external technical experts to work with management to identify the causes behind the disruptions. A crisis management group set up by InterGlobe Aviation, IndiGo’s parent company, recommended commissioning the independent review.
The airline experienced thousands of cancellations between December 1 and 9 due to crew shortages and challenges in implementing the new pilot duty and rest regulations. DGCA officials have begun monitoring IndiGo’s operations, refunds, and crew deployment from the airline’s headquarters, submitting daily reports. Additionally, two members of the DGCA’s eight-member oversight panel are stationed at Gurugram to monitor cancellations, staff shortages, unplanned leave, and affected routes.
IndiGo stated, “The objective is to conduct an independent root cause analysis of the recent operational disruption, besides identifying opportunities for improvement.”
(With PTI inputs)
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