Exact reason needs more time: IndiGo

Carrier operates 78% of 2,300-odd scheduled flights

- YARUQHULLAH KHAN

LOW-COST CARRIER INDIGO on Monday asked the aviation regulator for 13 more days to pinpoint the exact causes that led to the large-scale disruptions in its operations.

Responding to regulator's show-cause notice to Chief Executive Officer Pieter Elbers and Chief Operating Officer Isidre Porqueras, the airline attributed large-scale operational disruptions to, inter alia, the updated crew rostering rules, minor technical glitches and changes to the winter schedule.

Meanwhile, IndiGo operated 1,800 flights, or around 78% of its planned daily departures, on Monday. Around 500 flights remained grounded across airports including Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Kolkata, with the crisis entering the sixth day.

IN A STATEMENT, the DGCA said the airline also cited factors such as adverse weather conditions and increased congestion in the aviation system.