Safety Lapses: DGCA Directs Air India To Remove Three Officials From Crew Rostering
Failure to take disciplinary action and repeated violations would result in strict action, including the possibility of the airline losing permission to operate, the regulator warned
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has ordered removal of three Air India officials, who are in charge of crew rostering, from their roles following repeated lapses in safety protocols.
The aviation regulator identified these three officials as being responsible for serious violations, including unauthorised and non-compliant crew pairings, breaches of mandatory licensing requirements, and a failure to adhere to flight crew recency norms. The DGCA described the situation as a "systemic failure" in both scheduling procedures and supervisory oversight.
One of the key officials against whom the DGCA has asked for a disciplinary action is the Divisional Vice President of Integrated Operations Control Centre, according to an order dated June 20, a copy of which has been reviewed by NDTV Profit.
The other two officials include the chief manager of crew rostering and a senior associate of crew scheduling and planning.
The Tata Group carrier has been told that internal disciplinary proceedings must be initiated against them within 10 days. Failure to do so would result in severe action, including the potential revocation of its operating license, the DGCA said.
Air India acknowledged the regulator's directive and said that the carrier has implemented the order. "In the interim, the company's chief operations officer will provide direct oversight to the Integrated Operations Control Centre. Air India is committed to ensuring that there is total adherence to safety protocols and standard practices," it said in a statement. The IOCC oversees all aspects of flight operations, including aircraft rotations and crew assignments, to ensure safety and on-time performance.
"Any future violation of crew scheduling norms, licensing, or flight time limitations detected in any post-audit or inspection, will attract strict enforcement action, including but not limited to penalties, license suspension, or withdrawal of operator permissions as applicable," said DGCA.
Air India voluntarily disclosed the lapses in which flight crews operated flights despite failing to meet mandatory licensing, rest, and recency requirements. These issues were uncovered during an audit following a change in its crew scheduling software. However, "of particular concern is the absence of strict disciplinary measures against key officials directly responsible for these operational lapses,” according to the order.
Additionally, the regulator also served a show cause notice to Air India for violating FDTL, or flight duty time limitations, norms for pilots of two Bangalore-London flights on May 16 and 17. During recent spot checks, it was discovered that flight AI 133 exceeded the prescribed 10-hour duty limit for flight crew.
“Accountable manager has failed to ensure adherence,” the DGCA said, while seeking a response within seven days. "Failure to respond may result in an ex-parte decision based on the evidence available on record," the notice warned.
The latest actions come at a time when Air India is under increased scrutiny following recent operational disruptions and the fatal plane crash of June 12 in Ahmedabad that killed at least 270 people. It also raises concerns about the airline's internal management and adherence to aviation safety standards.
A day before, Air India CEO and Managing Director Campbell Wilson reassured the public and employees that the airline's fleet remains safe.
