New Delhi — IndiGo Chief Executive Officer Pieter Elbers appeared at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) office on Thursday after being summoned to explain the airline’s recent operational breakdown. Elbers arrived at 3 pm as directed, carrying detailed data and updates sought by the aviation watchdog on the widespread disruptions that left thousands of passengers stranded.
The DGCA had instructed the airline to provide comprehensive information on multiple fronts, including the progress of flight restoration, recruitment plans for pilots and cabin crew, and steps taken to prevent roster shortages linked to flight duty time limitations. The regulator also sought clarity on refunds processed, baggage return, re-accommodation of affected passengers and priority assistance for vulnerable travellers such as senior citizens, medical passengers and unaccompanied minors. It further asked for details of IndiGo’s monitoring mechanism to ensure timely and transparent execution of the recovery plan.
Earlier in the day, IndiGo announced that it had processed refunds for all cancelled flights during the disruption period and assured customers that pending payments would soon reflect in their accounts. The airline said refunds for tickets booked through online travel platforms or third-party agencies had also been initiated, and passengers were advised to contact customer support if their details were incomplete.
IndiGo acknowledged that travellers between December 3 and 5 faced prolonged delays and severe congestion across several airports. The airline said it was working to stabilise operations and address concerns raised by both passengers and regulators as investigations continue.
