DGCA removes operations head as thousands of flight cancellations expose major failures
Passengers finally received justice as India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), imposed a historic penalty on the country’s largest airline over serious operational lapses.
According to international reports, the DGCA fined the airline $2.45 million for grave failures in operational planning, particularly in pilot rostering and overall operations management. The regulator also ordered the removal of the airline’s Head of Operations Control, marking one of the toughest actions in Indian aviation history.
The airline’s poor planning led to the cancellation of thousands of flights in recent weeks, leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded across multiple cities and causing widespread disruption.
Along with the financial penalty, the DGCA issued a strict warning to the airline’s senior management, instructing them to immediately improve operational systems, crew availability, and scheduling practices.
In response, the airline assured full compliance with the regulator’s directives and pledged to overhaul roster planning, staffing, and operational discipline to prevent similar crises in the future.
