DGCA slaps ₹98 lakh fine on Air India for operating flights with unqualified staff 

On August 23, 2024, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) imposed a hefty fine of ₹98 lakh on Air India, owned by Tata, for operating flights with unqualified crew members. The airline had flown a plane with a captain who wasn’t a certified trainer and a first officer who hadn’t been fully released for line duties. This incident, which Air India reported voluntarily, led to a deeper investigation by the aviation authority, uncovering several regulatory breaches.

The DGCA’s investigation revealed significant safety concerns due to these violations. In addition to the fine on the airline, the DGCA also penalized Air India’s Director of Operations and Director of Training with fines of ₹6 lakh and ₹3 lakh, respectively. The aviation regulator stressed that these violations could threaten passenger safety and highlighted the importance of adhering to regulations.

The penalties stem from a broader review of Air India’s compliance with safety rules. The airline had received a show-cause notice on July 22, 2024, but its response was deemed unsatisfactory. As a result, the DGCA took enforcement action under the existing rules. The watchdog emphasized that the violations were serious, with one regulator calling it a “serious scheduling incident with significant safety ramifications.”

This fine is just one of many that Air India has faced in recent months. In March 2024, the airline was fined ₹80 lakh for failing to comply with the DGCA’s Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) and fatigue management rules. Over the last year and a half, Air India has been penalized around ₹5 crore for various violations, including a ₹1.10 crore fine for safety lapses on long-range flights and a ₹10 lakh fine for not providing necessary passenger facilities.

With a growing list of penalties, Air India must tighten its safety measures and regulatory compliance to avoid further sanctions and ensure passenger safety.