DGCA Suspends Air India’s Chief of Flight Safety Amid Safety Lapses

New Delhi: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken action against Air India’s chief of flight safety, suspending them for a month due to identified lapses in the airline’s accident prevention efforts. This action follows a recent surveillance operation carried out by the aviation watchdog on July 25 and 26, focusing on internal audits, accident prevention measures, and the availability of necessary technical staff.

According to DGCA, the inspection was conducted in accordance with flight safety guidelines and civil aviation requirements. The review revealed deficiencies in Air India’s accident prevention procedures and a shortage of essential technical personnel. Additionally, some internal audits and spot checks conducted by the airline were found to be inadequate and not in compliance with regulatory standards.

In response to these findings, DGCA issued show cause notices to the individuals responsible. Furthermore, the aviation regulator has instructed Air India not to assign audits, surveillance, or spot checks related to DGCA compliance to the specific auditor whose inspections indicated negligence.

Air India has been under increased scrutiny by DGCA in recent months. Notably, simulator training activities for A320 pilots at the airline’s Hyderabad facility were suspended due to observed lapses during an inspection.

An Air India spokesperson stated, “We are actively addressing the observations made by the regulator and taking corrective actions as needed.”