DGCA Imposes ₹20 Lakh Penalty on IndiGo for Violating Flight Norms

New Delhi, November 19, 2025: India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has imposed a ₹20 lakh penalty on IndiGo, the country’s largest airline, for violating instrument flight procedure (IFP) norms at Udaipur’s Maharana Pratap Airport. The latest compliance setback underscores the aviation regulator’s growing emphasis on strict adherence to safety protocols and official procedures.

According to a regulatory filing by InterGlobe Aviation, the parent company of IndiGo, the DGCA found that the airline had implemented a Standard Instrument Departure (SID) and Instrument Flight Procedure that was internally formulated rather than officially issued by the Airport Authority of India (AAI). The AAI is the only authorised body permitted to publish such procedures, and any deviation violates Rule 133A of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, along with Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) Section 9, Series C, Part I, paragraphs 2.2 and 2.34.

InterGlobe Aviation confirmed that it received the communication from the DGCA on 17 November 2025. The company stated in its filing that the penalty would have “no material impact” on its operations or financial position, emphasizing that IndiGo continues to comply with aviation regulations across all its operations.

Industry experts note that instrument departures and arrivals are critical for flight safety, particularly at airports like Udaipur, where terrain challenges and dense air traffic demand strict navigational compliance. The DGCA’s action reflects a tightening regulatory environment, aiming to ensure airlines strictly follow authorised procedures to maintain operational safety standards.

This penalty comes just weeks after the DGCA fined IndiGo ₹40 lakh for using non-qualified full-flight simulators to train pilots operating in Category C airports, including Leh, Calicut, and Kathmandu. Investigations revealed that nearly 1,700 pilots had been trained on simulators that did not meet the regulatory standards required for operations at these high-difficulty airports. In that case, the DGCA also penalised IndiGo’s Director of Training and Director of Flight Operations with individual fines of ₹20 lakh each, citing lapses in oversight and deviations from CAR guidelines.

Aviation analysts suggest that these repeated fines signal the DGCA’s commitment to maintaining high safety standards amid rapid growth in India’s commercial aviation sector. Compliance with standardised procedures is critical not only to avoid regulatory action but also to ensure the safety of passengers and operational integrity, particularly as airlines expand into challenging airports and congested airspaces.

IndiGo, which operates one of the largest domestic and international fleets in India, has repeatedly emphasised its commitment to safety and regulatory compliance. While the penalties serve as a warning to the airline, industry observers believe that stricter enforcement by the DGCA will help enhance operational discipline and prevent lapses that could jeopardise passenger safety.

With India’s aviation sector expanding rapidly, these incidents highlight the crucial role of regulatory oversight and adherence to authorised procedures in safeguarding flight operations and maintaining public confidence in commercial air travel.