In its order, dated August 11, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said, "... Accountable Manager of M/s Air India Ltd. is hereby warned and advised to exercise utmost diligence and responsibility in ensuring strict compliance with the applicable Civil Aviation requirements"
The action follows a show-cause notice sent to Air India in June, related to two long-haul flights between Bengaluru and London on May 16 and 17. Representational Pic/File
India’s aviation safety regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has issued a strong warning to Air India’s CEO and Accountable Manager, Campbell Wilson, after finding the airline’s explanation about flight duty violations "unsatisfactory", reported the PTI.
The action follows a show-cause notice sent to Air India in June, related to two long-haul flights between Bengaluru and London on May 16 and 17.
"Air India is in receipt of the DGCA letter with regard to rostering issues on two long-haul flights reported in mid-May that arose due to a different interpretation of a permission that was granted to mitigate the border-related airspace closure. This was corrected immediately after the right interpretation was conveyed to us. Air India remains fully compliant with the rules," an airline spokesperson told PTI.
In its order, dated August 11, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said, "... Accountable Manager of M/s Air India Ltd. is hereby warned and advised to exercise utmost diligence and responsibility in ensuring strict compliance with the applicable Civil Aviation requirements."
According to DGCA rules, crew members should not be on duty for more than 10 hours on such flights. Both flights reportedly exceeded this limit.
Air India claimed the issue arose from a misunderstanding of a special permission linked to airspace restrictions, and that it was corrected once the correct interpretation was made. The airline said it remains fully compliant with regulations, according to the PTI.
However, the DGCA, in its August 11 order, found the airline's reply unsatisfactory and said the airline’s Accountable Manager must take full responsibility and ensure strict compliance going forward.
"The reply submitted by M/s Air India in response to the Show Cause Notice has been duly examined and found to be unsatisfactory in addressing the regulatory lapses and deficiencies noted," the aviation safety regulator said in its order.
The DGCA also highlighted broader concerns, noting 93 audit findings in the past year across Air India, its now-merged partner Vistara, and Air India Express. These included 19 serious safety violations that required urgent action, as per the PTI.
In total, 263 safety issues were found across eight Indian airlines during 23 audits, including many that called for immediate corrective measures.
(with PTI inputs)
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