In the wake of significant disruptions to IndiGo's flight operations, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken decisive action by terminating the services of four Flight Operations Inspectors (FOIs). The inspectors, responsible for overseeing IndiGo's operations and ensuring compliance with safety and operational standards, were relieved of their duties with immediate effect.

The DGCA's action follows a period of severe disruption to IndiGo's flight schedule, with thousands of flights cancelled, leaving numerous passengers stranded. The disruptions have been attributed to a combination of factors, including crew shortages and the airline's preparedness for new pilot rest and duty duration rules. The new norms, which were stipulated in January of the previous year, were delayed in their implementation, and took effect in two phases, with the second phase rollout hitting IndiGo considerably.

The FOIs, who were engaged on a contract basis, are Deputy Chief FOI Rishi Raj Chatterjee, Senior FOI Seema Jhamnani, and FOIs Anil Kumar Pokhriyal and Priyam Kaushik, according to the DGCA order. These officials play a crucial role in ensuring aviation safety by inspecting, auditing, and certifying airlines and personnel, such as pilots, dispatchers, and cabin crew, to meet strict regulatory standards. They are also responsible for verifying various regulations and overseeing training, flight standards, and accident prevention measures in India. The DGCA had 17 FOIs, including the four FOIs whose services with the regulator have been terminated.

Sources indicate that the DGCA believes the FOIs are partly to blame for the crisis, as they were responsible for the oversight of IndiGo, which holds a domestic market share of almost 65 percent. The action against the FOIs comes amid questions over the DGCA's own role, or lack of it, in the IndiGo crisis. Questions have been raised regarding the DGCA's oversight of IndiGo's operations, including the measures it took to ensure that the airline was capable of complying with the new norms, and the grounds on which it approved a 10% expansion in the airline's flight schedules for the winter season.

In addition to the removal of the FOIs, the DGCA has taken other steps to address the crisis, including summoning IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers for questioning. Elbers and Chief Operating Officer Isidre Porqueras appeared before a four-member inquiry panel. The DGCA has also stationed teams at IndiGo's headquarters to monitor the airline's operations and ensure compliance with regulations. Furthermore, the civil aviation ministry has directed IndiGo to reduce its winter schedule by 10 percent.

IndiGo, on its part, has announced the appointment of Chief Aviation Advisors, led by Captain John Illson, to conduct an independent review and root-cause analysis of the recent operational disruptions. The airline estimates that the total compensation for affected passengers will exceed Rs 500 crore.

The DGCA has also constituted a four-member inquiry committee to investigate the circumstances leading to the IndiGo disruption. Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu has assured that stringent action will be taken based on the report against those found responsible.