IndiGo Fined Rs 40 Lakh for Unqualified Pilot Simulator Use
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken significant action against IndiGo Airlines, imposing a fine of Rs 40 lakh. This penalty results from the airline’s use of unqualified flight simulators for training pilots preparing for operations at critical airports.
Details of the Penalty
The DGCA’s investigation revealed that IndiGo had conducted simulator training for approximately 1,700 pilots, including Captains and First Officers. This training took place on Full Flight Simulators (FFS) that lacked the necessary qualifications for operating at Category C airports, such as Calicut, Leh, and Kathmandu.
Reasons for the Fine
Critical airports are classified as Category C due to their challenging terrain and weather conditions. Appropriate simulator training is mandatory for these locations. The DGCA’s order specified that 20 simulators across training facilities in several cities—including Chennai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Greater Noida, Gurugram, and Hyderabad—were not qualified for these operations.
- Locations of Non-Qualified Simulators:
- Chennai
- Delhi
- Bengaluru
- Greater Noida
- Gurugram
- Hyderabad
These simulators belong to various training organizations including CSTPL, FSTC, ACAT, and Airbus. The DGCA emphasized that these devices were used despite being deemed unsuitable for training related to critical airport operations.
Compliance Violations
Following their findings, the DGCA issued a Show Cause Notice to IndiGo’s Director of Training on August 11, 2025. This notice demanded an explanation regarding the non-compliance identified. However, IndiGo’s response, submitted on August 22, 2025, was deemed inadequate.
Imposed Penalties
As a result of the regulatory breach, two separate fines of Rs 20 lakh were imposed—one on the Director of Training and another on the Director of Flight Operations. The regulations under Rule 162 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, dictate the fines for such violations.
IndiGo has been directed to pay these fines into the Bharatkosh government account within 30 days. They also have the option to appeal the penalties by submitting a statutory fee of Rs 1,000 within the same time frame.
Next Steps for IndiGo
The DGCA has mandated that IndiGo confirm the payment of the penalties within the specified period. Failure to comply could result in additional enforcement actions. This incident serves as a critical reminder of the importance of adhering to civil aviation regulations, especially concerning flight training and safety standards.
