DGCA acts on Air India lapses

New Delhi

India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has issued a strong warning to Air India over repeated violations in crew rostering protocols. The regulator has directed the Tata-owned airline to remove three officials responsible for crew scheduling and to initiate internal disciplinary action against them, sources said on Friday.

This development comes amid heightened scrutiny of the airline’s operations following the tragic crash of an Air India Boeing 787-8 aircraft in Ahmedabad. The DGCA has also served a show cause notice to the airline regarding two Bengaluru–London flights operated in May, which exceeded the stipulated maximum flight time limit of 10 hours.

According to DGCA officials, these violations reflect serious lapses in compliance with flight duty time limitations and licensing norms. The regulator warned that any further breaches observed during audits or inspections could lead to penalties, suspension of licenses, or even revocation of Air India’s operator permits.

The DGCA emphasized that strict adherence to crew rostering guidelines is critical for ensuring passenger safety and operational integrity. Airlines are required to maintain precise crew schedules to prevent fatigue-related risks and ensure all flights are operated within regulatory safety margins.

Air India has not yet issued an official response to the DGCA’s order. The airline, under the Tata Group since 2022, has been under pressure to improve service quality, safety compliance, and operational efficiency. The latest action highlights the DGCA’s ongoing effort to enforce stricter oversight in the aviation sector and hold carriers accountable for safety violations.