IndiGo Penalized ₹20 Lakh by DGCA for Flight Norm Violations

Post by : Raina Nasser

New Delhi, November 19, 2025: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) of India has levied a fine of ₹20 lakh on IndiGo, the nation's leading airline, due to a breach of instrument flight procedure (IFP) norms at the Maharana Pratap Airport in Udaipur. This penalty signals the regulator's increasing focus on enforcing safety regulations and compliance standards.

As per a filing by InterGlobe Aviation, the parent company of IndiGo, the DGCA determined that IndiGo’s application of the Standard Instrument Departure (SID) and instrument flight procedure was derived from an internal document rather than from the Airport Authority of India (AAI), which is the sole entity authorized to publish such protocols. Deviating from these established norms contravenes Rule 133A of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, along with relevant provisions of the Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) Section 9, Series C, Part I.

InterGlobe Aviation confirmed it received notification from the DGCA on 17 November 2025. The company indicated that this penalty will have “no material impact” on its ongoing operations or financial standing, reaffirming its commitment to meeting aviation regulations across the board.

Experts in the industry stress that proper instrument departures and arrivals are vital for ensuring flight safety, especially in locations like Udaipur, where varying terrain and high air traffic demand strict adherence to navigational procedures. This action by the DGCA illustrates a commitment to strengthening regulatory measures, aimed at ensuring compliance with authorized protocols to uphold operational safety.

This latest penalty follows another ₹40 lakh fine imposed on IndiGo for employing non-qualified full-flight simulators for pilot training at Category C airports, which include challenging locations such as Leh, Calicut, and Kathmandu. Investigations confirmed that approximately 1,700 pilots had undergone training on simulators failing to meet necessary regulatory standards. In this instance, individual fines of ₹20 lakh were also issued to IndiGo's Director of Training and Director of Flight Operations for lapses in oversight.

Aviation analysts indicate that these recurring penalties reflect the DGCA’s unwavering dedication to ensuring high safety benchmarks amidst a rapidly growing aviation sector in India. Adhering to standardized processes is essential not just to evade regulatory penalties, but also to assure the safety of passengers and the integrity of operations, particularly as airlines navigate intricate airports and busy airspaces.

IndiGo operates one of the largest fleets in both the domestic and international markets in India and remains steadfast in its promise to prioritize safety and adhere to regulatory mandates. While these penalties serve as a cautionary reminder, experts believe that heightened enforcement from the DGCA will bolster operational discipline and help avert oversights that may compromise passenger safety.

As India’s aviation landscape continues to expand at a rapid pace, these developments underline the pivotal importance of regulatory supervision and compliance with authorized procedures in protecting flight operations and maintaining public trust in commercial air travel.