DGCA Imposes ₹98 Lakh Fine on Air India

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has fined Air India ₹98 lakh for operating flights with crew members who were not qualified according to regulatory standards. This significant penalty reflects the aviation regulator’s serious concerns over safety compliance within the airline.

Fines on Air India Key Officials:

In addition to the fine on the airline, the DGCA also levied penalties on Air India’s Director of Operations and Director of Training, amounting to ₹6 lakh and ₹3 lakh, respectively. These fines underscore the DGCA’s focus on holding senior management accountable for operational oversights.

Incident Overview:

The incident involved an Air India flight commanded by a non-trainer line captain paired with a first officer who had not been officially released for line operations. The DGCA deemed this a serious scheduling violation with significant safety implications, underlining the gravity of the situation. The pilot involved has been formally warned to exercise greater vigilance in the future to prevent similar occurrences.

Investigation and Findings against Air India:

The incident came to light when Air India voluntarily reported it to the DGCA on July 10. Following the report, the DGCA conducted an investigation, uncovering multiple deficiencies and regulatory violations by various post holders and staff within the airline. These findings led to the imposition of fines and further action to address the safety lapses.

Get all the latest news on Indian daily post