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India Today
04-07-2025
- Business
- India Today
Air India Express delayed Airbus engine fix, forged records: Report
Aviation regulator Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) reprimanded Air India Express, Air India's low-cost carrier, in March for failing to promptly replace engine components on an Airbus A320, as mandated by the European Union's aviation safety authority, and for falsifying records to appear compliant, according to a confidential government memo reviewed by news agency a statement, the airline told Reuters that it had acknowledged the lapse and implemented "remedial action and preventive measures."advertisementThe confidential memo, sent to the airline in March and accessed by Reuters, said that surveillance by the DGCA revealed the parts modification "was not complied" on an engine of an Airbus A320 "within the prescribed time limit". "In order to show that the work has been carried out within the prescribed limits, the AMOS records have apparently been altered/forged," the memo added, referring to the Aircraft Maintenance and Engineering Operating System software used by airlines to manage maintenance and India Express said that its technical team missed the scheduled implementation date for parts replacement due to the migration of records on its monitoring software, and fixed the problem soon after it was did not give dates of compliance or directly address DGCA's comment about records being altered, but said that after the March memo it took "necessary administrative actions", which included removing the quality manager from the person's position and suspending the deputy continuing airworthiness serious breach comes as the Tata-owned airline group faces intense scrutiny in the wake of June's fatal crash of an Air India Dreamliner in Ahmedabad — the worst aviation disaster in a decade — which killed 241 of the 242 people onboard. Though unrelated, the crash has spotlighted broader safety oversight and procedural adherence within the airline March safety lapse preceded the crash by several months but is part of a string of violations flagged by the regulator this year. In addition to the Air India Express engine issue, the DGCA warned Air India for flying three Airbus aircraft with overdue escape slide checks and separately cited 'serious violations' of pilot duty timing rules in VT-ATD aircraft typically serves domestic routes and short international sectors, including Dubai and Muscat. The engine component changes were mandated due to 'manufacturing deficiencies' that posed potential safety risks, according to the EU's aviation safety agency.A former Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau official, Vibhuti Singh, called the lapse 'a grave mistake,' emphasising that delayed engine fixes — especially when operating near restricted airspace or over water — dramatically increase operational data shows that in 2023, authorities issued safety warnings or fines in 23 cases, with 11 involving either Air India or Air India acquiring Air India in 2022, the Tata Group has aimed to turn it into a global carrier of high repute. However, the airline continues to battle recurring customer complaints about aircraft conditions and onboard services, further complicated now by a deepening safety crisis.- EndsWith input from ReutersTune InMust Watch
The Star
21-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Air India warned over delayed checks on escape slides
The country's aviation regulator has warned Air India for breaching safety rules after three of its Airbus planes flew despite there being overdue checks on emergency equipment, and for being slow to address the issue, government documents show. The warning notices and an investigation report – both reviewed by Reuters – were not in any way related to last week's crash of an Air India Boeing 787-8 plane that killed all but one of the 242 people onboard, and were sent days before that incident. In the report, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said spot checks in May on three Air India Airbus planes found that they were operated despite mandatory inspections being overdue on the 'critical emergency equipment' of escape slides. In one case, the watchdog found that the inspection of an Airbus A320 jet was delayed by more than a month before being carried out on May 15. AirNav Radar data shows that during the delay the plane flew to international destinations such as Dubai, Riyadh and Jeddah. Another case, involving an Airbus A319 used on domestic routes, showed checks were over three months late, while a third showed an inspection was two days late. 'The above cases indicate that aircraft were operated with expired or unverified emergency equipment, which is a violation of standard airworthiness and safety requirements,' the DGCA report said. Air India 'failed to submit timely compliance responses' to deficiencies raised by the DGCA, 'further evidencing weak procedural control and oversight', it added. Air India, which was taken over by the Tata Group in 2022 from the government, said in a statement that it was 'accelerating' verification of all maintenance records, including dates of the escape slides, and would complete the process in the coming days. In one of the cases, Air India said, the issue came to light when an engineer from AI Engineering Services 'inadvertently deployed an escape slide during maintenance'. The DGCA and Airbus did not respond to Reuters queries. Checks on escape slides are 'a very serious issue. In case of accident, if they don't open, it can lead to serious injuries', said Vibhuti Singh, a former legal expert at the government's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau. The DGCA said in its report that the certificates of airworthiness for aircraft that miss mandatory checks were 'deemed suspended'. — Reuters
Hans India
20-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Air India Faces Scrutiny for Skipping Escape Slide Checks on Airbus Fleet
The Air India Airbus warning notices and the investigation report that was examined by Reuters did not appear to be directly related to the last week's crash on the Air India Boeing (BA.N) opens a new tab for 787-8 plane, which caused the deaths of all except for one of the passengers and were issued days prior to the incident. The aviation regulator in India has been warned by the aviation regulator of India Air India for breaching safety rules following three Airbus ( opened new tab planes took off in spite of having overdue inspections on emergency equipment and because they were slow to fix the problem according to government documents. The warning notices and the investigation report, both of which were evaluated by Reuters did not appear to be at all connected to the last week's crash on the Air India Boeing (BA.N) opens a new tab on 787-8 plane which caused the deaths of all but one of the passengers and were mailed out days prior to the incident. "The above cases indicate that aircraft were operated with expired or unverified emergency equipment, which is a violation of standard airworthiness and safety requirements," the DGCA report noted. Air India "failed to submit timely compliance responses" to shortcomings uncovered in the DGCA Air India notice, "further evidencing weak procedural control and oversight," it said. Tata Group in 2022 from the government, stated in a the statement the company was "accelerating" verification of all maintenance records, including the unchecked escape slides Air India and that it would complete the verification process in the next few days. In one case, Air India said, the issue was discovered after the engineer of AI Engineering Services "inadvertently deployed an escape slide during maintenance". Examining escape slides is "a very serious issue. In case of accident, if they don't open, it can lead to serious injuries," said Vibhuti Singh, who was a former legal expert from the federal government's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau.
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
‘Violation of standard airworthiness…': Days before Air India crash, DGCA warned airline of breaching safety rules on Airbus aircraft: Report
The regulator noted that Air India "failed to submit timely compliance responses" to identified deficiencies. (Ai image) The Directorate General of Civil Aviation had issued a warning to Air India regarding safety protocol violations, as three of the airline's Airbus aircraft continued operations despite pending inspections of emergency systems. The regulatory body also criticised the airline's delayed response in addressing these concerns, according to a Reuters report. It's important to note that these warning notices and an investigation report are not related to the Air India AI 171 Boeing 787 crash that happened on June 12. These communications and warnings by DGCA were given to Air India days before the crash. What DGCA warned Air India about The aviation regulator's report quoted in the Reuters report revealed that during May inspections, three Air India Airbus aircraft were found operating with overdue mandatory checks on escape slides, which are vital emergency equipment. An Airbus A320 aircraft's inspection was conducted on May 15, more than a month behind schedule. During this period, AirNav Radar tracking showed the aircraft served international routes including Dubai, Riyadh and Jeddah. The findings also highlighted that an Airbus A319, used for domestic flights, had checks delayed by over three months, whilst another aircraft's inspection was conducted two days late. The DGCA report said: "The above cases indicate that aircraft were operated with expired or unverified emergency equipment, which is a violation of standard airworthiness and safety requirements." Also Read | Air India crash: N Chandrasekaran makes important statement; says AI 171 Boeing 787 Dreamliner had 'new engine', 'clean history' & 'no red flags' The regulator noted that Air India "failed to submit timely compliance responses" to identified deficiencies, "further evidencing weak procedural control and oversight." The airline, acquired by the Tata Group in 2022 from the government, responded that it was "accelerating" the verification of all maintenance records, including escape slide dates, with completion expected within days. The carrier clarified that in one instance, the issue was discovered when an AI Engineering Services engineer accidentally deployed an escape slide during maintenance work. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Safety checks on emergency escape slides are crucial, as their malfunction during accidents could result in grave consequences, according to Vibhuti Singh, who previously served as a legal expert at the government's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau. The aviation regulator DGCA said that aircraft failing to undergo mandatory inspections would have their airworthiness certificates considered suspended. Documentation reveals that Animesh Garg, who holds the position of deputy director of airworthiness in the Indian government, dispatched the warning notices and reports to Air India's CEO Campbell Wilson and other senior officials, including the continuing airworthiness manager, quality manager and head of planning. Also Read | Air India plane crash: After 12/6, demand for Air India's 787s crashes A legal specialist in aviation matters indicated that such violations typically result in financial and civil penalties for both the company and individual executives. In a previous statement to Reuters, Wilson acknowledged that whilst global parts shortages affected the industry broadly, Air India faced greater challenges due to its older fleet, with numerous aircraft remaining unmodernised since their delivery in 2010-2011. Aviation authorities across the globe, including India's regulatory body, impose penalties on airlines for breaching compliance requirements. In February, the government informed parliament about 23 instances where airlines faced warnings or penalties for safety violations in the previous year. Air India and Air India Express accounted for twelve of these violations, with one case involving "unauthorised entry into the cockpit". The carrier faced its heftiest penalty of $127,000 for insufficient oxygen supplies during a San Francisco-bound flight. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Mint
20-06-2025
- Business
- Mint
Air India under fire for flying Airbus planes with unchecked emergency escape slides
India's aviation regulator has warned Air India for breaching safety rules after three of its Airbus planes flew despite being overdue checks on emergency equipment, and for being slow to address the issue, government documents show. The warning notices and an investigation report - both reviewed by Reuters - were not in any way related to last week's crash of an Air India Boeing 787-8 plane that killed all but one of the 242 people onboard, and were sent days before that incident. In the report, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation said spot checks in May on three Air India Airbus planes found that they were operated despite mandatory inspections being overdue on the "critical emergency equipment" of escape slides. In one case, the watchdog found that the inspection of an Airbus A320 jet was delayed by more than a month before being carried out on May 15. AirNav Radar data shows that during the delay the plane flew to international destinations such as Dubai, Riyadh and Jeddah. Another case, involving an Airbus A319 used on domestic routes, showed checks were over three months late, while a third showed an inspection was two days late. "The above cases indicate that aircraft were operated with expired or unverified emergency equipment, which is a violation of standard airworthiness and safety requirements," the DGCA report said. Air India "failed to submit timely compliance responses" to deficiencies raised by the DGCA, "further evidencing weak procedural control and oversight," it added. Air India, which was taken over by the Tata Group in 2022 from the government, said in statement that it was "accelerating" verification of all maintenance records, including dates of the escape slides, and would complete the process in the coming days. In one of the cases, Air India said, the issue came to light when an engineer from AI Engineering Services "inadvertently deployed an escape slide during maintenance". The DGCA and Airbus did not respond to Reuters queries. Checks on escape slides are "a very serious issue. In case of accident, if they don't open, it can lead to serious injuries," said Vibhuti Singh, a former legal expert at the government's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau. The DGCA said in its report that the certificates of airworthiness for aircraft that miss mandatory checks were "deemed suspended". The warning notices and the report were sent by Animesh Garg, a deputy director of airworthiness in the Indian government, to Air India CEO Campbell Wilson as well as the airline's continuing airworthiness manager, quality manager and head of planning, the documents showed. An Indian aviation lawyer said such breaches typically attract monetary and civil penalties on both individual executives and the airline. Wilson told Reuters last year that global parts shortages were affecting most airlines, but the problem was "more acute" for Air India as its "product is obviously a lot more dated", with many planes not refreshed since they were delivered in 2010-2011. The Indian regulator, like many abroad, often fines airlines for compliance lapses. India's junior aviation minister in February told parliament that authorities had warned or fined airlines in 23 instances for safety violations last year. Around half of them - 12 - involved Air India and Air India Express, including in one case for "unauthorised entry into cockpit". The biggest fine was $127,000 on Air India for "insufficient oxygen on board" during a flight to San Francisco. Last week's crash, the causes of which are still being investigated, will further challenge Air India's attempts to rebuild its image, after years of criticism from travellers for poor service. Air India's Chairman N. Chandrasekaran on Monday told staff the crash should be a catalyst to build a safer airline, urging employees to stay resolute amid any criticism. In its report, the DGCA also said several Air India aircraft checked by officials had outdated registration paperwork. Air India told Reuters all but one aircraft complied with such requirements and this "poses no impact" to safety. The DGCA investigation report pulled up the airline for what it described as "inadequate internal oversight." "Despite prior notifications and identified deficiencies, the organization's internal quality and planning departments failed to implement effective corrective action, indicating systemic control failure," it said.
