DGCA Orders Removal of 3 Air India Rostering Officials
In a significant regulatory intervention, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has directed Air India to remove three senior officials from all crew scheduling responsibilities. The move comes amid findings of serious violations related to pilot flight duty time limitations.
Air India Violated Pilot Duty Norms
According to the DGCA, Air India allowed two international flights from Bengaluru to London, operated on May 16 and 17, to exceed the mandated 10-hour duty limit for pilots. The aviation body said these incidents reflect a broader “systemic failure” in the airline’s rostering protocols. It also flagged the airline’s failure to take internal disciplinary action despite repeated warnings.
Three Senior Officials Removed
Following the violations, three key officials in Air India’s rostering and scheduling team have been relieved of duty:
- The Divisional Vice President,
- The Head of Crew Rostering,
- A Planning Executive involved in scheduling.
The DGCA has further instructed the airline to initiate disciplinary proceedings against these officials within seven days. The aviation regulator warned that failure to act could result in the suspension or cancellation of Air India’s operator licence.
Repeated Lapses Under Scrutiny
The action follows a series of warnings issued to Air India. Just days earlier, the DGCA had flagged that three Airbus aircraft were flown with overdue emergency equipment checks. Although unrelated to the recent crash involving a Boeing 787-8 in Ahmedabad, the repeated violations have raised alarm about broader safety compliance within the airline’s operations.
Air India Responds to DGCA Crackdown
In a statement, Air India confirmed the immediate implementation of the DGCA order. It also announced that the Chief of Operations will temporarily oversee the Integrated Operations Control Centre (IOCC). The airline reaffirmed its commitment to “total adherence to safety protocols and standard operating procedures.”
This crackdown by India’s aviation authority sends a strong message across the industry that operational integrity, especially in crew management and flight duty adherence, is non-negotiable. With new duty norms already in force, the spotlight on Air India’s rostering practices is only expected to intensify.
