The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ordered the immediate removal of three senior Air India officials from flight crew scheduling roles. This stern action marks one of the toughest interventions involving a full-service scheduled airline in recent months. The aviation regulator also warned Air India of possible operating licence withdrawal if it fails to take swift disciplinary action.
DGCA’s directive followed an audit of Air India’s Integrated Operations Control Centre (IOCC), which manages crew deployment. The regulator identified violations on flights AI133 from Bengaluru to London Heathrow on May 16 and 17. These flights exceeded the maximum flight duty time limit of 10 hours, breaching Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) norms set in 2019.
These flights were regular scheduled services, not emergency operations, intensifying the seriousness of the breach. DGCA issued a show cause notice to Air India’s Accountable Manager demanding an explanation within seven days, warning of ex parte action if ignored.
Air India acknowledged the DGCA’s concerns and confirmed the removal of the officials. The airline assigned its Chief Operations Officer direct oversight of the IOCC to ensure strict compliance with safety protocols and operational standards.
Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) protect pilot health and passenger safety by ensuring adequate rest before flights. Violations can lead to pilot fatigue, increasing safety risks. DGCA norms also require pilots to meet strict qualifications and licensing standards before flight operations.
Also Read Air India Under Scanner: DGCA Orders Checks on All Outbound Flights
Questions arise about why automated systems failed to flag these violations. Investigations suggest potential manual overrides or manipulation in crew rostering, undermining safety compliance and regulatory oversight
Although aviation is a safe mode of transport, the latest series of incidents raised serious concerns about safety.
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