IndiGo Flight Update: 200+ cancellations on 7th day of mess; airline must respond to show cause notice today

IndiGo -- the country's largest airline -- entered a seventh straight day of disruptions on Monday, December 8, with 224 planned cancellations already reflected in the system. Although the daily cancellations reduced by a notch, IndiGo was yet to return to full operations. Its management is required to respond to civil aviation regulator DGCA's show cause notice by 6 pm later in the day, when an extended deadline ends. The troubled private sector airline's CEO, Pieter Elbers, and the top management must formally respond to the show cause notice that has held them accountable for the chaos that has stranded passengers, squeezed airport capacity and forced rivals and Indian Railways to launch compensatory frequencies over the past week.

Here are 10 things to know about the IndiGo flight fiasco:

• DGCA Notice: The regulator has made it clear that no further extensions will be granted, after extending the original deadline of December 7 by 24 hours. DGCA has also said that IndiGo's failure to submit a complete and satisfactory response will lead to ex-parte proceedings -- meaning it will take action on the basis of available records without hearing the airline’s side any further.
• What is to be explained? The airline’s CEO and COO are expected to explain not just why the disruptions spiralled but also who within the leadership or operations team was responsible for the lapses that triggered the nationwide meltdown.

• Deadline to Refund Passenger Money Already Lapsed: IndiGo has already missed a deadline for clearing refunds and delivering misplaced baggage. The regu'ator DGCA is expecting a status report on these commitments as well.
• High Court Moved: A public interest litigation (PIL) over the IndiGo-related matter has been filed in the Delhi High Court, with the court slated to hear the petition on December 10. The PIL seeks directions to the central government and IndiGo to provide assistance and appropriate refunds to the people impacted by the crisis. The Opposition will likely demand a statement from the Civil Aviation Minister in Parliament on the IndiGo issue, according to sources.
• How It All Started: The airline’s troubles began after its failure to prepare for revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) rules that kicked in on November 1, leading to a cascading crew shortage and crippling flight schedules.
• DGCA's notice to IndiGo, dated December 6, holds its CEO responsible for “significant lapses in planning, oversight and resource management”.
• On Sunday, IndiGo requested more time to respond to that notice citing the scale of its nationwide operations and “unavoidable factors” behind those disruptions. While granting a 24-hour extension on Sunday, the regulator made it clear that no more leeway would be offered to the airline in the matter.
• Even as IndiGo attempts to stabilise its network, cancellations continue across major airports.
• While operations have improved from the peak of the crisis, Monday’s 224 planned cancellations reflect ongoing crew shortages and rostering challenges.
• As the evening deadline approaches, all eyes will be on how IndiGo explains the crisis -- and on what the civil aviation regulator decides next.