DGCA Warns Air India Over “Serious and Repeated Violations” in Pilot Scheduling: Pressure Mounts on the Airline
India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has issued a stern warning to Air India after uncovering “serious and repeated violations” in its pilot scheduling practices, according to official documents cited by Reuters.
Excessive Hours and Errors in International Flights
The warning stemmed from two Air India flights between Bengaluru and London, operated on May 16 and 17, which exceeded the regulatory flight time limit of 10 hours for pilots. The report indicates that these incidents were not isolated errors but the result of systemic failures in scheduling protocols and internal oversight.
The DGCA ordered the airline to remove three key executives from their roles in crew scheduling: a divisional vice president, a chief manager, and a planning executive. Additionally, the regulator criticized the lack of strong disciplinary action against those directly responsible.
Growing Regulatory Scrutiny
This reprimand is unrelated to the fatal accident earlier this month involving an Air India Boeing 787-8, which claimed 241 lives out of the 242 on board. However, it underscores increasing regulatory scrutiny of the airline.
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On Thursday, it was revealed that the DGCA had also alerted Air India for operating three Airbus aircraft without mandatory inspections of emergency equipment, specifically evacuation slides.
Air India’s Response
Air India stated that it has already complied with the regulator’s order. According to an official release, direct oversight of the Integrated Operations Control Center will now be handled on an interim basis by the company’s Director of Operations.
The airline, owned by the Tata Group since 2022, reaffirmed its commitment to “full compliance with safety protocols and standard operating practices.”
History of Penalties: Air India Under the Spotlight
According to data from the Indian government presented to parliament in February, there were 23 warnings or penalties issued to airlines for safety violations in the past year. Of these, 12 involved Air India and Air India Express. The highest fine—$127,000—was imposed on Air India for operating international flights with insufficient onboard oxygen supplies.
This pattern of violations highlights the challenges the airline faces under Tata Group’s management as it attempts to revamp its image after years of criticism over poor service quality.
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