India's aviation sector is in turmoil as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a show-cause notice to IndiGo's Chief Executive Officer, Pieter Elbers. This notice comes in response to a severe operational crisis that has left thousands of passengers stranded across the country. The DGCA has demanded an explanation within 24 hours for the airline's significant delays, cancellations, and operational failures that have persisted for over a week.

The regulator's notice highlights that Elbers has "failed in your duty to ensure timely arrangements for conduct of reliable operations and the availability of requisite facilities to the passengers." The DGCA warned that if Elbers does not respond adequately, it could lead to punitive measures under the Aircraft Rules and Civil Aviation Requirements.

The situation has escalated, with more than 850 flights cancelled in a single day, causing widespread distress among passengers. Reports from various airports indicate long queues, missed connections, and issues with baggage handling as IndiGo struggles to restore normalcy.

In response to the crisis, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has intervened, instructing IndiGo to process all pending refunds by Sunday and to reunite separated baggage within 48 hours. The ministry has also mandated the establishment of dedicated support cells to assist passengers and provide real-time updates on their situations.

As IndiGo works to address these challenges, other airlines, including Air India and Air India Express, have stepped in to help stranded passengers. They have implemented measures such as capping economy fares on domestic flights, waiving change and cancellation fees for eligible bookings, and increasing seat availability. Additional flights are being operated to facilitate quicker travel for passengers and their baggage.

The ongoing disruptions have raised concerns about the airline's operational stability and its impact on the broader aviation landscape in India.