Latest news with #CivilAviationRequirement
Mint
10 hours ago
- Business
- Mint
DGCA orders Air India to sack 3 employees for violating rules on flight crew schedules
Mumbai: Air India has come under scrutiny from India's civil aviation regulator for violations it voluntarily disclosed concerning flight crew being scheduled and deployed despite lapses in licensing, rest and recency requirements, and for breaching Civil Aviation Requirement Section 7. CAR Section 7 outlines the requirements for personnel involved in flight operations, including pilots, instructors, and examiners. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation ((DGCA) ordered the airline to let go of three employees from all roles and responsibilities related to crew scheduling and rostering. It also sent Air India a show-cause notice, asking it to show why it should not face action under the Aircraft Rules and Civil Aviation Requirements for the violations mentioned. Mint has seen a copy of both the documents, which were confirmed by a DGCA official who did not want to be named. An Air India spokesperson said, 'We acknowledge the regulator's directive and have implemented the order. In the interim, the company's chief operations officer will provide direct oversight to the integrated operations control centre (IOCC). Air India is committed to ensuring that there is total adherence to safety protocols and standard practices,' The regulator has directed the airline to remove Choorah Singh, divisional vice president, Pinky Mittal, chief manager - DOPS crew scheduling, Payal Arora, crew scheduling-planning, and asked for an internal disciplinary proceedings to be initiated against these officials without delay. It said the outcome must be reported to it within 10 days. The DGCA's show-cause notice relates a violation of Para 6.1.3 of Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) Section 7, in which the accountable manager of Air India operated two flights from Bangalore to London on 17 and 18 May, both of which exceeded the stipulated flight time of 10 hours. As per, Para 6.1.3 of CAR Section 7, a crew is limited to 10 hours of flying and 13 hours of duty if the flight crosses into night hours beyond their time zone. As per the show-cause notice, the accountable manager also failed to ensure adherence to the provisions and compliance requirements demanded under CAR. On 12 June, Air India flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London crashed seconds after take-off, resulting in the death of more than 240 people. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau's probe into the cause of the accident is ongoing.
India Gazette
13 hours ago
- Business
- India Gazette
Air India issued show-cause notice for two flights exceeding stipulated flight time limit, 3 officials removed for rostering violations
New Delhi [India], June 21 (ANI): The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a show cause notice to the Accountable Manager of Air India for violating flight time rules. The DGCA Show Notice to Air India reads, 'During a spot check, it has been observed that the Accountable Manager of M/s Air India operated two flights from Bangalore to London (A|133) on 16 May 2025 and 17 May 2025, both of which exceeded the stipulated flight time limit of 10 hours, in violation of Para 6.1.3 of Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) Section 7 Series J Part III, Issue Ill dated 24 April 2019. Air India has been asked to respond within seven days as to why appropriate enforcement action should not be initiated against them under the applicable provisions of the Aircraft Rules and Civil Aviation Requirements for the violations. In its notice, the DGCA stated that the manager did not ensure adherence to specific provisions under the Civil Aviation Requirements, and warned that enforcement action could follow if no response is received. 'Whereas, it is further noted that the Accountable Manager of Mis Air India Ltd. has failed to ensure adherence to the provisions and compliance requirements as stipulated under Para 1 and Para 2.4 of Annexure III of Civil Aviation Requirements (CARs) of Section 3, Series C Part Il. Now, therefore, you are hereby called upon to show cause within 07 days of receipt of this notice as to why appropriate enforcement action should not be initiated against you under the applicable provisions of the Aircraft Rules and Civil Aviation Requirements for the aforementioned violations,' the letter reads. 'Failure to submit your reply within the stipulated period shall result in the matter being decided ex parte based on the evidence available on record,' the letter further reads. Additionally, the DGCA also issued a notice against three Air India officials on the rostering team, ordering the Airline to remove them for alleged repeated violations 'Remove the officials from all crew scheduling and rostering roles. Initiate internal disciplinary proceedings and report outcomes to DGCA within 10 days. Reassign the officials to non-operational roles; no involvement in safety/compliance positions until further notice. Strict enforcement action for future violations post-audit/inspection could include: penalties, License suspension, and withdrawal of operator permissions,' the regulator said in its notice. Air India responded to the DGCA's order and said that it has implemented the same. As per the statement of Air India, 'We acknowledge the regulator's directive and have implemented the order. In the interim, the company's Chief Operations Officer will provide direct oversight to the Integrated Operations Control Centre (IOCC). Air India is committed to ensuring that there is total adherence to safety protocols and standard practices.' Earlier on June 20, Air India CEO and Managing Director Campbell Wilson reassured the public and employees that the airline's fleet -- particularly its Boeing 787 aircraft -- remains safe to operate following comprehensive checks, and that the carrier is exercising maximum caution in the wake of the AI171 tragedy. The Air India CEO assured the public and employees of continued support and transparency in the aftermath of the AI171 incident, stating that the airline -- and the wider Tata Group -- will stand by the families of victims and affected staff long after the immediate crisis subsides. (ANI)
India.com
13 hours ago
- Business
- India.com
Bad news for Air India! DGCA slaps show-cause notice over violations of...; 3 officials removed for..., license to be..
More trouble for international fliers as Air India takes shocking decision to...., suspends services on... The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a show cause notice to Air India's Accountable Manager for breaching flight time regulations. According to the DGCA, a spot check revealed that two Air India flights—AI133 from Bengaluru to London on 16 and 17 May 2025—exceeded the maximum permitted flight time of 10 hours. This is a violation of Para 6.1.3 of the Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR), Section 7, Series J, Part III, Issue III, dated 24 April 2019. 'During a spot check, it has been observed that the Accountable Manager of M/s Air India operated two flights from Bangalore to London (A|133) on 16 May 2025 and 17 May 2025, both of which exceeded the stipulated flight time limit of 10 hours, in violation of Para 6.1.3 of Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) Section 7 Series J Part III, Issue Ill dated 24 April 2019,' reads the he DGCA Show Notice to Air India. Air India has been asked to respond within seven days as to why appropriate enforcement action should not be initiated against them under the applicable provisions of the Aircraft Rules and Civil Aviation Requirements for the violations. In its notice, the DGCA stated that the manager did not ensure adherence to specific provisions under the Civil Aviation Requirements, and warned that enforcement action could follow if no response is received.'
NDTV
13 hours ago
- Business
- NDTV
3 Air India Officials Removed, Aviation Body Threatens To Withdraw Licence
New Delhi: Civil aviation regulator DGCA has ordered the immediate removal of three senior Air India officials, including a divisional vice president, from all responsibilities related to flight crew scheduling and rostering. The directive is among the sternest interventions in recent months involving a full-service scheduled airline. The DGCA has also asked the Tata Group-owned carrier to initiate internal disciplinary proceedings against the three unnamed officials without further delay. Failure to do so would result in severe action, including the possibility of the airline losing its operating permission. The DGCA's action stems from its audit of Air India's Integrated Operations Control Centre (IOCC), which oversees crew deployment across the airline's domestic and international network. According to the show cause notice issued by the regulator, two flights operated by Air India - AI133 from Bengaluru to London Heathrow on May 16 and May 17 - exceeded the maximum flight duty time limitation of 10 hours. The operation of these flights violated Para 6.1.3 of the Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR), Section 7, Series J, Part III, Issue III, dated 24 April 2019, according to the show cause notice. The flights in question were not emergency or exceptional operations. The DGCA contends they were regular long-haul services. The DGCA issued a show cause notice to Air India's Accountable Manager, typically a high-ranking official. The notice demands an explanation within seven days from the date of receipt, asking why enforcement action should not be initiated under relevant provisions. "Failure to submit your reply within the stipulated period shall result in the matter being decided ex parte based on the evidence available on record," the regulator warned. Responding to the directive, Air India acknowledged the seriousness of the observations made by the DGCA. "We acknowledge the regulator's directive and have implemented the order. In the interim, the company's Chief Operations Officer will provide direct oversight to the Integrated Operations Control Centre (IOCC). Air India is committed to ensuring that there is total adherence to safety protocols and standard practices," Air India said in a statement. The IOCC is a key component in any airline's structure, responsible for real-time crew management, flight dispatch, weather monitoring, and route planning. Missteps or regulatory non-compliance at this level can directly affect passenger safety and crew welfare. Understanding The Rules 1. As per DGCA norms, pilots operating in a cockpit must meet specific qualification criteria to be paired with each other. These criteria include factors such as the number of flying hours each pilot has logged, so that the combined total of experience in the cockpit meets a prescribed minimum threshold. 2. Both pilots must also be qualified for specific operational requirements, for example, low-visibility operations, 'Atlantic qualifications', or clearances for operating in high-altitude or critical airfields such as Leh or Ladakh. 3. Valid Licenses: It is mandatory for the airline to ensure that both pilots at the controls meet all licensing requirements. Their licenses must be current, and all mandated refresher courses and proficiency checks must be up to date. 4. Systemic Failures: There are indications of repeated violations of Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms. These include requirements to provide pilots with adequate rest before a flight and compliance with similar guidelines. Questions Being Raised 1. Why are these violations not flagged by the software systems? 2. Why are such issues not preempted or prevented before pilots operate flights? 3. This points to the possibility of manual overrides of automated systems. Is the rostering process being manipulated?
