DGCA Flags Major Safety Violations in Air India Operations

The annual audit, conducted by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation ( DGCA), revealed 51 safety lapses in Air India's operations. It is a significant concern about the airline's compliance with aviation safety norms.

A range of shortcomings was revealed by the audit, including outdated training manuals, fragmented training records, lack of pilot training, unqualified simulators, untrained staff managing flight rosters, and irregularities in approvals for low- visibility operations.

The airline has until July 30 to address seven of these, which have been identified as critical Level I breaches. By August 23, the final 44 non-compliances need to be fixed. Air India has been requested by the DGCA to present proof that all safety procedures are being followed. Days after the regulator revealed that an Air India aircraft had been operating without a timely inspection of its emergency slide, a crucial safety feature, the enforcement action was taken.

The airline was given 15 days to answer to three show-cause notices from the DGCA on July 23 for a variety of infractions. The DGCA promptly grounded the aircraft implicated in the past-due slide inspection till the required checks were finished; Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol had earlier informed Parliament. According to him, the regulator makes sure airlines adhere to safety and maintenance standards through routine surveillance, spot checks, and night inspections. If there are infractions, enforcement action is taken, which may include fines, warnings, or suspensions.

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"DGCA immediately grounded the aircraft till the required rectification was carried out. DGCA has initiated enforcement action against Air India and the responsible personnel as per the Enforcement Policy and Procedure Manual of DGCA," Minister of State (MoS) for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, said in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.