DGCA Flags Dangerous Goods Handling Lapses at IndiGo, Orders Corrective Action

India's aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has issued a warning letter to IndiGo for lapses in compliance with norms related to the handling of dangerous goods. The regulator has directed the airline to review its training programme and include more practical exercises and operational scenarios.

The warning follows a January 2026 incident involving spillage of cargo detected on the ground after a flight's arrival. Subsequent audits revealed deviations from standard operating procedures and provisions under the Aircraft (Carriage of Dangerous Goods) Rules, 2026, according to a regulatory filing by InterGlobe Aviation, IndiGo's parent company, on Friday.

During a special audit of IndiGo's engineering stores facility at Delhi airport, the DGCA observed multiple regulatory non-compliances related to the carriage of company material categorised as dangerous goods on its own aircraft.

Based on the findings, the DGCA has asked IndiGo to review its training programme to incorporate more practical exercises and operational scenarios. Additionally, the airline has been directed to conduct recurrent training for all personnel involved in handling Company Material (COMAT) Dangerous Goods at Delhi airport.

IndiGo has also been instructed to strengthen its Continuous Competency Assessment (CCA) system and submit an action taken report within 30 days.

In its filing, IndiGo said the communication from the DGCA was received on July 8. The airline noted that strict norms are in place for handling and carriage of dangerous goods in aircraft. It added that there is no significant impact on its financials, operations, or other activities.

The delay in disclosure, IndiGo said, was unintentional and resulted from a delay in internal communication regarding the receipt of the letter.