Aviation regulator DGCA has issued a show-cause notice to IndiGo for alleged lapses in simulator training conducted for nearly 1,700 pilots, according to sources.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) found that Category C — or critical airfield — training for both pilots in command and first officers was conducted using non-qualified simulators. The violations came to light during a review of training records and the airline’s replies in late July.

According to Aviationnews, the regulator determined that training for critical airports such as Calicut, Leh, and Kathmandu was carried out on Full Flight Simulators (FFS) not qualified for those airports, as required by Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR). Airports like Calicut, which has a table-top runway, demand additional operational safeguards.

A DGCA review identified 20 such simulators across multiple facilities — including ACAT in Chennai, Airbus in Delhi, CSTPL in Bangalore, Greater Noida, and Gurugram, as well as FSTC in Gurugram and Hyderabad. The list covered Airbus A320 and other variant simulators, many lacking the necessary approvals for the terrain and operational challenges at airports such as Calicut and Leh.

Under DGCA rules, airlines must ensure that training for critical airports is conducted only on simulators approved for the specific aircraft model and airport.

AirlineRatings Safety and compliance manager Josh Wood said,

“Today’s development, combined with previous incidents and compliance lapses, has led to IndiGo’s safety rating being downgraded to 5 out of 7. Personally, I feel that the growth trajectory in India, coupled with rising demand and the urgent need for pilots to operate these aircraft, is leading to shortcuts within the region and eventually this will affect safety.”

In Indian aviation, a show-cause notice is issued when regulators suspect a breach of safety, compliance, or operational requirements that demands immediate explanation and corrective action.

IndiGo confirmed receipt of the notice, stating:
“We confirm receipt of a show-cause notice issued by the DGCA pertaining to simulator training of some of our pilots. We are in the 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.”

This is not the first time IndiGo has faced such action. In 2023, the DGCA conducted a special audit after four tail-strike incidents involving Airbus A321 aircraft in six months. A show-cause notice issued on July 3 gave IndiGo 15 days to respond. The airline’s reply, submitted on July 19, claimed compliance with all procedures but was found unsatisfactory. DGCA subsequently imposed a ₹30 lakh fine and required the carrier to amend documentation, operational procedures, training protocols, and its Flight Data Monitoring (FDM) program.