DGCA issues notices to Air India for safety breaches in training, crew rest
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New Delhi: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued multiple notices to Air India over the past year for breaching aviation safety standards, particularly in areas concerning crew fatigue management and simulator training compliance. The airline, which voluntarily reported the lapses, confirmed on Thursday that it would respond to the notices within the stipulated time frame.
According to the DGCA, despite Air India’s disclosures, the violations reflect repeated failures in adhering to crucial safety protocols. The regulator has warned the airline that enforcement action may follow if compliance is not ensured.
“The airline acknowledges receipt of these notices from the regulator related to certain voluntary disclosures made over the last year,” an Air India spokesperson said in a statement. “We will respond to the said notices within the stipulated period. We remain committed to the safety of our crew and passengers.”
The notices cite issues such as failure to provide pilots with mandatory rest periods and shortcomings in the implementation of simulator training programmes. One of the notices notes that systemic issues related to compliance monitoring, crew planning, and training governance remain unresolved, despite earlier warnings and enforcement actions.
Separately, in a move aimed at enhancing aircraft safety, the DGCA last week directed all airlines to inspect the locking mechanisms of fuel control switches on Boeing aircraft. The directive follows the preliminary investigation report into last month’s fatal Air India Boeing Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad, which claimed 260 lives.
The Air Accidents Investigation Bureau (AAIB) found that the engines of the aircraft shut down shortly after take-off due to fuel supply being cut off — a failure attributed to faulty locking on the fuel control switches.
In response, Air India said it has carried out precautionary inspections on the fuel control switch (FCS) locking mechanisms across its Boeing 787 and 737 fleets. “All checks have been completed in line with DGCA directives and no anomalies were found,” the airline confirmed.
The developments highlight ongoing concerns about regulatory compliance and operational oversight in India's aviation sector, even as airlines pledge stronger internal checks and safety measures.
With IANS inputs
