DGCA notice to IndiGo for ‘lapses’ in simulator training to 1,700 pilots

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has slapped a show-cause notice on IndiGo over alleged irregularities in simulator training for nearly 1,700 pilots, including commanders and first officers, sources said on Tuesday.

The regulator’s action follows a detailed scrutiny of training records and the airline’s responses submitted last month. Investigators found that Category C, or critical airfield, training for the pilots had been conducted on simulators not certified for operations at high-risk airports such as Calicut, Leh and Kathmandu.

Airfields like Calicut, which has a tabletop runway, mandate additional operational requirements due to the heightened safety risks. The DGCA’s findings suggest the simulators used failed to meet the qualifications necessary for such specialised training.

“We confirm receipt of a show-cause notice issued by the DGCA pertaining to simulator training of some of our pilots. We are in process of reviewing the same and will respond to the regulator within the stipulated timeline. We remain committed to ensuring the highest standards of safety and compliance across our operations,” an IndiGo spokesperson said.

The airline now faces the prospect of regulatory action if its explanation fails to satisfy the aviation watchdog.