In a significant regulatory action, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has imposed a hefty fine of Rs 90 lakh on Air India for operating a flight with pilots who were not properly qualified.

The incident, which has raised serious safety concerns, highlights the airline’s failure to adhere to crucial operational standards. The issue came to light on July 10 when Air India voluntarily submitted a report to the DGCA, prompting the regulator to investigate the matter.

According to the DGCA’s findings, the flight in question was commanded by a non-trainer line captain paired with a first officer who had not yet been officially released for line duties. This lapse in scheduling, described by the DGCA as a “serious scheduling incident,” posed significant safety risks.

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In response to the violation, the DGCA has not only imposed a fine on Air India but has also levied penalties on key individuals within the airline. Pankul Mathur, Air India’s Director of Operations, has been fined Rs 6 lakh, while Manish Vasavada, the Director of Training, has been fined Rs 3 lakh. The regulator cited negligence on the part of these officials, holding them accountable for their roles in the incident.

The DGCA’s statement emphasized that the flight’s commander, along with the airline’s post holders, was given the opportunity to explain their position through show-cause notices issued on July 22. However, the responses provided by the concerned parties were deemed unsatisfactory by the regulator. Consequently, the DGCA proceeded with enforcement action in accordance with existing regulations.

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The pilot involved in the incident has been issued a warning to exercise greater caution in the future to prevent similar occurrences. The DGCA has made it clear that such violations will not be tolerated, underscoring the importance of maintaining strict adherence to safety protocols.

This incident is the latest in a series of regulatory actions taken against Air India, which is now owned by the Tata group. Earlier this year, the DGCA issued a show-cause notice to the airline after passengers on two separate flights experienced discomfort air india refurbishment due to insufficient cabin cooling during prolonged delays. The regulator expressed concern that the airline was repeatedly failing to address passenger care adequately.