Following serious lapses in crew rostering, India’s civil aviation regulator—the DGCA—has ordered three senior Air India officials removed from their roles and launched internal disciplinary proceedings, underlining a decisive move to tighten flight safety protocols. The directive comes amid intensifying scrutiny of the airline after its June 12 Boeing 787 crash in Ahmedabad.
At a Glance
- DGCA found “serious and repeated violations” in pilot duty times, licensing, and crew pairing during a post-transition audit
- The three officials—including the Divisional Vice-President, Head of Crew Scheduling, and Planning Lead—are removed from rostering roles
- DGCA also issued show-cause notices for two Bengaluru–London flights in May where pilots exceeded the 10-hour flight duty limit
- Air India acknowledged compliance; its COO now directly oversees crew rostering under new DGCA oversight
- The regulator warned of further penalties—including license suspension—if violations continue
Rostering Overhaul After Crash Review
DGCA’s June 20 order noted repeated violations were found during Air India’s switch from its old ARMS to the CAE crew management system: pilots flew without proper licensing, rest, or currency, and were paired unsafely. Violations were self-reported by the airline, as reported by Indian Express.
Pilots Over Duty Limit, Regulator Acts
Two flights labelled AI13 (May 16–17) were flagged for exceeding mandated 10-hour duty limits, prompting show-cause notices to Air India’s Accountable Manager. DGCA has mandated responses within seven days, according to Times of India.
Watch a report: DGCA directs Air India to remove rostering chiefs
Air India Takes Corrective Steps
Air India confirmed it has implemented DGCA’s orders: the COO will oversee the Integrated Operations Control Centre (IOCC), while the three removed officials are being disciplined internally, as noted by NDTV.
Broader Context: Cruise Control Under Tata Ownership
Since its 2022 acquisition by Tata Group, Air India has struggled with safety compliance. In 2024, it was fined for fatigue-related violations, and the recent crash intensified regulatory scrutiny. DGCA’s move signals stricter enforcement post-crash AI171, as detailed in Indian Express.
What’s at Stake
With aviation safety in the global spotlight, DGCA’s swift action aims to prevent pilot fatigue incidents and systemic roster errors. But this raises critical questions: can Air India strengthen its compliance culture swiftly enough—and will similar interventions follow across India’s aviation sector?
This is a pivotal moment for Air India’s safety turnaround and regulatory rigor, as the airline implements crucial changes to enhance operational standards, restore public confidence, and prioritize passenger safety on all flights.
