DGCA Audit Flags 100 Lapses In Air India, Including 7 Critical Safety Breaches

News18

6 days ago

The violations pertain to multiple operational domains including crew training, rest and duty period norms, insufficient crew complement, and airfield qualification standards.
India's aviation safety watchdog, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has flagged around 100 violations and observations against Tata Group-owned Air India following a comprehensive audit, sources revealed on Tuesday. Among these, seven are categorized as Level-1 violations — the most serious, posing critical safety risks that demand immediate corrective measures from the airline.
The violations pertain to multiple operational domains including crew training, rest and duty period norms, insufficient crew complement, and airfield qualification standards. The detailed audit was conducted at Air India's main hub in Gurugram between July 1 and 4, examining processes such as flight scheduling, rostering, and broader operational protocols.
In response, Air India issued a statement acknowledging receipt of the audit findings. The airline confirmed it will respond to the DGCA within the stipulated timeframe and outlined its commitment to implementing corrective measures. 'All airlines undergo regular audits to test and continuously strengthen processes. Air India's annual DGCA audit took place in July, during which it was fully transparent with auditors in the spirit of such continuous improvement," the statement read. 'We will submit our response along with details of corrective actions taken."
The scrutiny follows heightened regulatory attention in the aftermath of the tragic June 12 crash of Air India flight AI171. The London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner lost thrust shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad and crashed into a nearby medical college hostel, killing 241 of the 242 onboard and 19 on the ground. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is currently investigating the incident.
A preliminary 15-page AAIB report released earlier this month disclosed that the aircraft's engines lost fuel supply within seconds of each other just after takeoff. Cockpit voice recordings revealed confusion among pilots, with one asking, 'Why did you cut off?" and the other denying any such action. The report indicated both engines' fuel switches had shifted from 'RUN' to 'CUTOFF' seconds after takeoff.
Separately, on July 23, the DGCA issued four show cause notices to Air India for violations linked to cabin crew rest rules, training regulations, and operational procedures — actions that followed the airline's own voluntary disclosures. Earlier, on June 21, the regulator had also instructed Air India to immediately remove three officials from all crew scheduling responsibilities due to serious lapses.
The findings underscore ongoing concerns over operational discipline and safety culture at Air India as it navigates both scrutiny and transformation under its new ownership.
(With inputs from PTI)
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First Published:
July 30, 2025, 07:16 IST
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