The government’s response to IndiGo’s recent network disruption may go beyond temporary relaxations and a show-cause notice, with officials considering a restructuring of the board of InterGlobe Aviation, the airline’s parent. The move follows the cancellation of more than 3,200 flights in a week after IndiGo failed to adjust its schedules to comply with new Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) rules. These norms extend weekly pilot rest, redefine night hours, and restrict night landings, and their second phase took effect on November 1. Although IndiGo has received a one-time exemption, officials believe the board needs more members with strong aviation and operational expertise to ensure better oversight of network planning, crew management, and regulatory exposure.
IndiGo’s board currently includes several eminent professionals but only a few with deep aviation backgrounds, a gap that became more visible after co-founder Rakesh Gangwal—long considered the architect of IndiGo’s operational discipline—stepped away from governance and reduced his shareholding. The recent cancellations, which left thousands of passengers stranded during peak travel season, drew heavy criticism and prompted regulators to question IndiGo’s preparedness, pushing the government to examine broader governance issues.
