DGCA Flags Air India for Safety Compliance Lapses

Quick Summary

• The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) warned Air India’s CEO, Campbell Wilson, over flight duty time violations in May.
• Two long-haul flights from Bengaluru to London exceeded the permitted 10-hour duty limit under aviation safety rules.
• Air India attributed the issue to a misinterpretation regarding airspace closure permissions but stated corrections were made once clarified.
• DGCA deemed Air India’s description unsatisfactory and issued a warning for stricter compliance with civil aviation requirements.
• Previously, DGCA audits found 93 safety-related issues in Air India, including 19 critical level-1 violations needing immediate action. Across eight airlines audited by DGCA last year, there were 263 safety lapses.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The stern warning from DGCA highlights the regulator’s firm stance on maintaining high standards of aviation compliance and safety in India. air India’s justification points to operational challenges caused by airspace restrictions; however, such lapses even once corrected raise concerns about procedural oversight during dynamic scenarios like border closures. With audits revealing broader patterns of safety gaps across domestic carriers-including critical ones-it emphasizes the need for systemic improvements within Indian aviation operations.

This incident may serve as an inflection point motivating deeper reviews of airline policies regarding crew management and regulatory adherence. If addressed transparently and proactively, such actions could reinforce trust among passengers while upholding India’s reputation for air travel safety globally.Read More