InterGlobe Aviation, the parent company of India’s largest airline IndiGo, has been fined Rs 20 lakh (approximately $22,531) by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for lapses in pilot training procedures at Category C airports.
The penalty, imposed on September 26, pertains to the use of non-qualified simulators for training pilots operating at high-risk airports such as Calicut, Leh, and Kathmandu.
The DGCA’s action follows a review of IndiGo’s training records, which revealed that approximately 1,700 pilots, including pilots in command and first officers, underwent simulator training on Full Flight Simulators (FFSs) that were not certified for operations at these specific airports.
Under India’s Civil Aviation Requirements, training for Category C airports must be conducted using simulators qualified for those locations.
In response, IndiGo has stated its intention to contest the penalty, asserting that the fine does not have a material impact on the airline’s financials, operations, or other activities.
The airline highlighted its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of safety and compliance across its operations.
This development marks the latest in a series of regulatory challenges for IndiGo. In 2023, the DGCA imposed a Rs 30 lakh fine on the airline following four tail strike incidents involving its Airbus A321 aircraft.
The regulator’s special audit revealed deficiencies in IndiGo’s documentation and procedures related to operations, training, and engineering.