India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has imposed a ₹20 lakh penalty on IndiGo, the country’s largest airline, over alleged lapses in pilot training procedures at Category C aerodromes — airports known for difficult terrain or approach conditions. The regulator stated that IndiGo failed to use qualified simulators for pilot training, which is a mandatory safety requirement under DGCA norms.
The airline confirmed receiving the communication from DGCA on September 26, 2025, through a disclosure to the stock exchanges.
IndiGo’s Response and Appeal
In response, IndiGo’s parent company, InterGlobe Aviation, said it intends to contest the order before the appropriate appellate authority. The airline emphasized that the fine will have no material impact on its financial position, operations, or business continuity.
IndiGo also explained that the delay in reporting the DGCA order was unintentional and occurred due to an internal lag in communication about the order’s details.
Market Reaction
Following the announcement, shares of IndiGo were trading slightly lower on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) at ₹5,657.05 per share, marking a marginal decline of 0.11% as of 2:58 PM on October 8, 2025.
While the penalty is relatively small for a carrier of IndiGo’s scale, it underscores the DGCA’s growing scrutiny of training and compliance standards amid India’s rapidly expanding aviation industry.
Regulatory Focus on Safety
This development highlights DGCA’s continued push for stringent enforcement of safety protocols, especially at challenging aerodromes. Such airports require specialized pilot training to ensure safe operations. The regulator has been conducting frequent audits and checks across airlines to ensure full adherence to safety and operational standards.
For IndiGo, which operates over 2,000 daily flights and serves 100+ destinations, maintaining high training standards remains crucial as India’s aviation sector continues its post-pandemic growth trajectory.
w
