The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a strong warning to Air India over repeated violations in crew rostering. The aviation safety regulator has directed the airline to remove three key officials involved in flight crew scheduling and initiate internal disciplinary action.
The action follows a detailed investigation that exposed multiple violations of duty time regulations in recent months. These lapses were flagged during audits, routine inspections, and through records submitted by the airline.
Two Flights Breached Flight Duty Norms
A major trigger was the DGCA’s finding that two Air India flights from Bengaluru to London in May had exceeded the stipulated 10-hour flight time limit. This not only violated India’s flight duty norms but also raised concerns about crew fatigue and passenger safety.
According to sources, these flights operated beyond permissible hours without proper fatigue management protocols or exemptions from the regulator.
DGCA Demands Removal of Crew Scheduling Officials
The DGCA has asked Air India to immediately remove three officials from their current posts in the crew rostering department. The airline has also been told to launch disciplinary proceedings against the trio for negligence and procedural violations.
A source familiar with the matter said, “These repeated violations have undermined DGCA regulations. Safety cannot be compromised due to poor planning or oversight.”
Show Cause Notice Sent to Air India
The regulator has issued a show cause notice to Air India, demanding a detailed explanation on why such lapses were allowed to continue despite previous warnings. The airline has been given a limited timeframe to respond, failing which further enforcement action may be taken.
The DGCA has also warned the carrier that any future violations of crew scheduling norms, licensing regulations, or flight duty time limitations (FDTL) will attract strict action. This could include penalties, license suspension, or withdrawal of operator approvals.
Safety Under the Spotlight Post Recent Incidents
This is not the first time Air India’s safety practices have come under scrutiny. Moreover, the warning follows close on the heels of several incidents involving delayed maintenance checks, pilot fatigue concerns, and the tragic Ahmedabad crash of a Boeing 787-8.
Earlier, the DGCA had flagged delayed inspections of escape slides in Airbus aircraft operated by the airline, further compounding safety concerns.
Air India Response Underway
Air India sources confirmed that the carrier is reviewing the DGCA directives. “We are fully cooperating with the regulator. Appropriate action will be taken against those responsible,” an internal source said.
The airline has also assured that new systems and automated tools will be introduced to enhance transparency and compliance in crew rostering.
Aviation Experts Raise Concerns
Aviation experts said the recent DGCA findings are troubling. “Crew fatigue is a major risk factor in aviation safety. Strict enforcement of flight duty limits is essential. These lapses show a worrying trend of operational mismanagement,” said aviation analyst Mohan Reddy.
He added that the removal of responsible officials is a welcome step but urged Air India to adopt real-time compliance systems and improve crew welfare.
What’s Next for Air India?
The next few weeks are critical for Air India. Further, the airline must submit its official response to the show cause notice and report the corrective steps it has taken.
The DGCA has said it will conduct a fresh audit of Air India’s rostering systems in July to ensure compliance.
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