New Delhi, February 21 IndiGo has appointed Captain Rohit Rikhye as the new Head of Operations Control Centre (OCC), replacing Jason Herter. This marks the first major reorganization in IndiGo's senior management following the significant operational disruptions in December last year.
In January, the aviation regulator, DGCA, took various actions against the airline, including imposing a total penalty of Rs 22 crore and asking for the dismissal of a senior vice-president, in relation to the operational disruptions.
In an internal communication on Friday, the airline announced that Rohit Rikhye has been appointed as the Head of OCC, effective immediately.
He will report to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), Isidre Porqueras.
Rikhye, who has been with the airline for over 11 years, was previously serving as Chief Pilot – Standards, Quality Assurance & Operations Safety.
Meanwhile, Herter is leaving the airline.
According to the communication, Rikhye will lead the OCC, which manages real-time coordination and oversight of flight operations, including flight planning, tracking, and dispatch, in compliance with regulatory requirements such as air traffic control rules and safety guidelines.
He will also oversee crew scheduling and rostering. The airline expressed confidence that his current and past experience will be beneficial in managing his new role.
On January 22, Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma appeared on behalf of the civil aviation ministry and DGCA, and submitted that several steps were taken by the authorities in the aftermath of the crisis. A senior vice-president of the airline was asked to be dismissed from service, and a penalty of Rs 22 crore was also imposed, he had said.