DGCA raps AI over 29 safety lapses in a year
Air India is facing intense regulatory scrutiny after aviation watchdog, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), issued four show-cause notices to the airline, citing 29 safety-related violations. These breaches include lapses in crew duty norms, fatigue management and training oversight.
The DGCA has warned that continued non-compliance could lead to enforcement actions such as monetary penalties or even the removal of senior executives.
The notices, dated July 23, follow voluntary disclosures made by Air India to the DGCA on June 20 and 21. Despite these disclosures, the regulator has sharply criticised the airline for persistent and systemic lapses. One notice stated, “Despite repeated warnings and earlier enforcement measures, systemic problems in compliance monitoring, crew scheduling and training oversight remain unresolved.”
Among the 29 violations, several involve breaches in flight duty periods and weekly rest norms for pilots and cabin crew. One notice specifically highlights ultra-long-haul flights operated on April 27 (two flights), April 28 and May 2 this year, where the airline failed to deploy the mandated number of cabin crew and ignored crew rest regulations.
Another notice points to failures in adhering to operational and training procedures on flights operated on July 26, 2024, October 9, 2024, and April 22, 2025. Additional violations related to crew fatigue rules were found in flights on June 24, 2024, and June 13, 2025.
Further violations involved cabin crew training and operational protocols on multiple flights between April 10-11, February 16-May 19, and December 1, 2024. These included lapses in mandatory simulator training and inadequate preparation for operating at high-altitude airports.
Three of the four notices stemmed from Air India’s own disclosures on June 20, while the fourth was based on separate disclosures made on June 21, flagging three instances of training and operational procedure failures for cabin crew.
Air India has acknowledged receiving the notices. A spokesperson said, “We will respond within the stipulated period and remain committed to the safety of our crew and passengers.”
The DGCA’s action comes amid rising concerns in the aviation sector over crew fatigue. Pilots have long voiced concerns about unsafe scheduling practices, alleging that they jeopardise safety and well-being. While Air India is currently under scrutiny, industry observers suggest this crackdown could lead to broader regulatory action across Indian carriers, particularly those with weaker safety records.
Top News