India’s civil aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has taken stern action against Air India, ordering the immediate removal of three officials responsible for flight crew scheduling.
The move comes after the airline voluntarily disclosed serious violations, including deploying flight crew members without valid licensing, proper rest, or meeting mandatory flying recency requirements—violations that represent gross lapses in aviation safety norms.
These infractions, which go against Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) Section 7—a rulebook that outlines mandatory conditions for pilots, instructors, and other flight personnel—have come to light at a time when the airline is under intense scrutiny following the June 12 crash of Air India Flight AI-171 in Ahmedabad.
The crash killed 241 of the 242 on board, in addition to at least 29 civilians on the ground, making it one of the deadliest aviation disasters in recent Indian history.
Despite the gravity of these violations, the DGCA found no internal disciplinary action had been taken against those directly responsible.
In a strongly worded order dated June 20, the DGCA noted a “repeated and serious” pattern of misconduct in Air India’s Integrated Operations Control Centre (IOCC), accusing the airline of unauthorised and non-compliant crew pairings, as well as systemic failures in monitoring, oversight, and accountability.
“These were not isolated incidents,” the DGCA stated. “They reveal a culture of negligence where standard operating procedures were bypassed, placing passenger safety at immense risk.”
The violations were uncovered during the airline’s transition from the ARMS (Air Route Management System) to the CAE Flight and Crew Management System, a process meant to improve safety and scheduling efficiency. Ironically, it exposed the very systemic carelessness that may have contributed to the string of recent operational failures.
As a result, the DGCA has not only demanded the dismissal of the three erring officials but has also issued a show-cause notice to Air India, asking why further punitive action—possibly including license suspension or operational restrictions—should not be imposed.
Air India acknowledged the regulator’s directive and said it has implemented the order.
“The Chief Operations Officer will now directly oversee the IOCC to ensure full compliance with safety and scheduling protocols,” a spokesperson said. However, the airline’s reassurances offer little comfort in the wake of the catastrophic failure that cost over 270 lives, including the passengers and civilians.
Critics argue that this tragedy underscores the lethal consequences of institutional indifference. While the airline claims commitment to safety, the DGCA’s findings paint a different picture—one of complacency, mismanagement, and dangerous shortcuts.
As investigations into the AI-171 crash continue, this latest revelation intensifies the spotlight on Air India’s internal operations. The public is left asking: How many of these preventable tragedies must occur before aviation authorities and airline management enforce real accountability?