DGCA fines Air India Rs 99 lakh for safety violations involving unqualified pilots 

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has imposed a hefty fine of Rs 99 lakh on Air India and two of its senior executives after the airline operated a commercial flight with unqualified pilots, an action the regulator deemed to have significant safety ramifications. 

The incident, which occurred around July 10, involved a trainee pilot paired with a non-trainer pilot, a clear violation of aviation safety regulations. According to the DGCA, this breach presented a serious risk, prompting swift regulatory action. 

Air India has been fined Rs 90 lakh, while the airline’s Director of Operations and Director of Training have been fined Rs 6 lakh and Rs 3 lakh, respectively. In addition to these financial penalties, the pilot involved in the incident has been issued a formal warning, urging greater caution to prevent future lapses. 

The situation first came to light through a voluntary report submitted by Air India on July 10. Following this disclosure, the DGCA launched an in-depth investigation into the airline’s operations. The probe included a thorough examination of documentation and an unannounced inspection of Air India’s scheduling facility. The findings revealed a troubling pattern of deficiencies and multiple regulatory violations by various staff members, raising serious concerns about the airline’s adherence to safety standards. 

The DGCA responded by issuing show-cause notices to the pilot-in-command and the implicated executives on July 22, underscoring the gravity of the situation 

This is not the first time Air India has faced the ire of the DGCA. Over the past year, the airline has been repeatedly penalized for safety violations. In June 2023, two Air India pilots, a captain and a co-pilot were suspended for allowing an unauthorized person into the cockpit during a Chandigarh-Leh flight. The captain faced a year-long suspension, while the co-pilot was grounded for a month. 

Earlier, in February 2023, another Air India captain allowed a female friend into the cockpit during a Delhi-Dubai flight. The DGCA suspended the captain for three months and issued a warning to the co-pilot for failing to prevent the breach. 

Additionally, in January 2023, the airline was fined Rs 30 lakh for mishandling an incident in which a male passenger urinated on a female co-passenger during a New York to Delhi flight.