Regulatory body issues warning to IndiGo airline concerning the implementation of uncertified flight simulators
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has raised concerns over the use of "non-qualified" flight simulators during the training of approximately 1,700 pilots at IndiGo, India's largest airline. The notice, issued on August 12, 2025, points to the use of these simulators in critical airfield training modules at airports including Kozhikode (Calicut), Leh, and Kathmandu.
The DGCA's inspections uncovered technical and compliance deficiencies in a total of 20 flight simulators used by IndiGo. These simulators, located across several key cities, namely Delhi, Chennai, Hyderabad, Greater Noida, Gurugram, and Bengaluru, lacked the necessary qualification to simulate these airports' specific operational environments and runway layouts.
The DGCA's concerns stem from the fact that these airports pose additional operational and safety challenges. Training on non-approved simulators can potentially compromise safety by not accurately replicating the unique environment pilots face during takeoffs and landings. In particular, the DGCA found that Category C or critical airfield training, necessary for airports with unique challenges such as table-top runways (Calicut), high altitude (Leh), or difficult terrain (Kathmandu), was conducted on simulators that were not qualified or approved for those specific airports.
IndiGo has acknowledged receipt of the show-cause notice and stated it is reviewing the regulator’s concerns and will respond within the stipulated timeline while reaffirming its commitment to safety and compliance. Failure to respond within the stipulated timeframe could result in unilateral enforcement measures affecting IndiGo's pilot training operations.
Meanwhile, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning of 'low to moderate risk' of flash floods for Himachal, Uttarakhand, Bihar, West Bengal, and Sikkim. Elsewhere, the Malpani Group has opened Central India's largest water park in Indore.
- The concerns raised by the DGCA about non-qualified flight simulators used in pilot training at IndiGo could potentially affect the aviation industry's economy, as their response to the show-cause notice is crucial to maintaining compliance.
- The IT sector might play a significant role in addressing the technical and compliance deficiencies found in IndiGo's flight simulators, as they could be updated to simulate the specific operational environments and runway layouts of key airports.
- In the markets of weather-related services, the Indian Meteorological Department's warnings of 'low to moderate risk' of flash floods for several regions like Himachal, Uttarakhand, Bihar, West Bengal, and Sikkim may impact businesses dependent on weather conditions, such as tourism or agriculture.
- As the Malpani Group embarks on opening Central India's largest water park in Indore, it potentially expands the recreational industry in the region, providing a new avenue for entertainment and leisure, especially during favorable weather conditions.
