The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a show-cause notice to the Accountable Manager of Air India after two of the airline’s long-haul flights allegedly exceeded the mandated flight time limits, breaching aviation safety norms.
The violations occurred on May 16 and 17, 2025, when Air India operated Bengaluru–London flights AI133 that exceeded the 10-hour limit prescribed under Para 6.1.3 of Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) Section 7 Series J Part III.
The DGCA has asked Air India to respond within seven days, explaining why enforcement action should not be taken under the Aircraft Rules and Civil Aviation Requirements.
“Failure to submit your reply within the stipulated period shall result in the matter being decided ex parte,” the notice warned.
Additionally, the DGCA flagged non-compliance with crew duty time regulations, stating that the airline failed to adhere to provisions outlined in Annexure III of CAR Section 3, Series C Part II, which governs crew rostering standards and safety protocols.
In a related move, the DGCA directed Air India to remove three officials from the crew rostering team due to repeated scheduling violations and instructed the airline to:
- Reassign them to non-operational roles.
- Ensure no involvement in safety or compliance functions.
- Initiate internal disciplinary action and report back within 10 days.
The aviation regulator warned that future violations could invite stricter penalties, including license suspensions or withdrawal of operator permissions.
In response, Air India confirmed implementation of the DGCA’s orders.
“We acknowledge the regulator’s directive and have implemented the order. In the interim, the Chief Operations Officer will directly oversee the Integrated Operations Control Centre (IOCC),” the airline stated, reaffirming its commitment to safety and regulatory compliance.
Meanwhile, Air India CEO Campbell Wilson had recently reassured the public and airline staff that the Boeing 787 fleet remains safe to operate, following enhanced safety checks in the aftermath of the AI171 crash in Ahmedabad. He also pledged long-term support for the families of victims and affected personnel.
The incident comes at a time of heightened scrutiny over airline safety, with regulators and carriers alike under pressure to reinforce adherence to operational norms and crew management protocols.
