Air India has been fined Rs 1 crore by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for operating an Airbus A320 plane eight times without a valid airworthiness permit. The aviation regulator termed this violation as “serious” and held the top-level management responsible for the security lapse.
The DGCA order, imposing the fine, highlighted that the Airbus A320 aircraft flew on multiple sectors, including flights connecting New Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Hyderabad, between November 24 and 25 last year, without a mandatory Airworthiness Review Certificate (ARC).
The ARC is an essential annual certification issued by the aviation regulator after an aircraft successfully clears prescribed safety and compliance checks. Flying without it is considered a serious breach of aviation safety norms.
According to sources, the DGCA took a strict view of the violation, criticizing the airline’s “casual approach.” Responding to the DGCA order, an Air India spokesperson stated that all identified gaps have been satisfactorily addressed and shared with the authority. Air India remains committed to maintaining high standards of operational integrity and safety.
Air India has faced challenges following the Ahmedabad plane crash in June last year and has struggled to achieve a financial turnaround after its privatization. The airline is reportedly seeking a new CEO to replace the current chief, Campbell Wilson, whose contract expires in mid-2027. Tata Group Chairman N. Chandrasekaran has held preliminary discussions with potential CEO candidates experienced in managing large airlines.
The move for a change in leadership is triggered by Air India’s likely miss of the March 31 target set for breaking even. Operational issues such as Pakistan’s airspace closure to Indian carriers have led to longer flying routes and increased operational costs, impacting Air India’s financial performance.
