IndiGo loses appeal against DGCA penalty over pilot training lapses
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IndiGo on Friday said the appellate authority has rejected its appeal against penalties imposed by aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on two senior executives of the airline for alleged lapses in pilot training.
In an exchange filing, IndiGo’s parent company InterGlobe Aviation said the DGCA Appellate Authority, through an order dated January 7, dismissed the airline’s appeal and reinstated the penalties of ₹20 lakh each on IndiGo’s Director of Flight Operations and Director of Training.
“The matter has been disposed of by reinstating the penalty of ₹20 lakh each on the Director Flight Operations and Director Training of the company,” the airline said in the filing to the BSE.
The DGCA had imposed the penalties in September last year for IndiGo’s alleged failure to use qualified simulators for pilot training at Category C aerodromes. Pilots operating flights to and from such airports typically require additional training due to operational challenges.
While informing stock exchanges about the penalty in October, IndiGo had said it was contesting the order before the appropriate appellate authority.
Following the disclosure on Friday, shares of IndiGo fell 1.2% to close at ₹4,844.70 apiece on the BSE.
Earlier in December, the civil aviation ministry had granted initial approvals to two new airlines, weeks after mass flight cancellations by IndiGo highlighted concerns over limited competition in the world’s fastest-growing aviation market.
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Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said in a post on social media platform X on December 23 that the ministry has issued “no-objection certificates” to regional carrier Al Hind Air and Fly Express.
Al Hind Air plans to commence operations in southern India with a fleet of ATR turboprop aircraft and is currently in the process of obtaining an Air Operator Certificate. Fly Express has also indicated plans to launch operations soon, with its website carrying a “coming soon” banner.
IndiGo currently dominates the domestic aviation market with a share of around 65%, followed by the Air India Group at about 27% while smaller carriers account for the remainder.
In addition, Uttar Pradesh-based Shankh Air, which has already secured an NOC, is expected to begin operations in 2026. Al Hind Air is being promoted by the Kerala-based Alhind Group.