Aviation

DGCA Imposes ₹1.10 Crore Fine on Air India for violating safety norms

Runway Close Call:IndiGo Plane Lands as Air India Jet Takes Off

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has fined Air India a substantial amount of ₹1.10 crore for its failure to adhere to safety norms.

The violation pertains to the operation of leased Boeing 777 aircraft during direct flights lasting approximately 16 hours to and from San Francisco on the West Coast of the United States, as revealed in a statement by the aviation regulator on Wednesday.

A thorough investigation was conducted by the DGCA into the matter, resulting in the issuance of a show cause notice to Air India. The probe disclosed non-compliance by the airline, prompting the issuance of the notice to the accountable manager of Air India Limited. The airline’s response to the show cause notice was meticulously examined in light of statutory provisions and performance limits outlined in crucial documents by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), according to the regulatory statement.

Earlier this month, Air India was also slapped with a fine of Rs 30 lakh by the DGCA for rostering lapses concerning pilots operating flights in low visibility conditions.

The complaint that triggered this investigation included allegations from a pilot who claimed to have refused to operate a leased Boeing 777 aircraft for an Air India flight from San Francisco to Bengaluru on January 30, 2023, citing issues with the oxygen system. The pilot further asserted that, three months later, he was terminated from the airline’s service.

The irregularities in the operations of the leased aircraft were found to be in contravention of regulatory and OEM performance limits, leading to the substantial fine imposed by the DGCA. This incident underscores the importance of strict adherence to safety standards within the aviation industry, as deviations can result in severe penalties to ensure passenger safety and regulatory compliance.

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Aviation

Boeing Faces New Setbacks as 777X Delays Extend and scraps B767-300F

Boeing’s challenges continue as employees halted production due to a strike, creating new obstacles for delivering aircraft to customers. The company now faces financial losses from delays in the delivery of its boeing 777x aircraft.

Boeing recently announced that the new delivery date for the 777-9 will be in 2026, with the freighter variant scheduled for 2028. This news has been frustrating for airlines that have committed to and are waiting for the aircraft.

Mega Comparison of Boeing 777x vs A350-1000 Aircraft

The Boeing 777X program, which began in early 2019, was initially delayed to 2021 due to COVID-19 disruptions. Subsequent issues, including defects found during testing, have placed the program under scrutiny by the FAA, which insists on the aircraft meeting all safety standards before entering service. Boeing is now facing pressure from both airlines and investors.

Boeing 777x Delay

New Commercial Airplanes expects to incur pre-tax charges of $3.0 billion related to the Boeing 777X and 767 programs.

The company forecasts a $2.6 billion pre-tax charge due to the updated timeline, which accounts for delays in flight testing for the 777-9 and the impact of the IAM (International Association of Machinists) work stoppage. The first 777-9 delivery is now expected in 2026, with the 777-8 freighter following in 2028.

Exploring the Boeing 777x: Highlights from the Debut at …

In addition, Boeing plans to conclude production of the 767 freighter, resulting in a $0.4 billion pre-tax charge. From 2027 onwards, the company will solely produce the 767-2C aircraft for the KC-46A Tanker program.

In August 2024, Boeing grounded its 777X test fleet after detecting a failure in a key engine mounting structure during a routine inspection. The new boeing 777x, powered by the GE9X engine, is the world’s largest and most efficient twin-engine jet, but this issue has caused further setbacks.

Boeing 777x, A close-up of the engine, landing gear, and wing

Comparison of 777x vs A350

Meanwhile, the Airbus A350 continues to secure new orders from airlines, becoming a strong competitor in the wide-body aircraft segment. While the a350 vs b777 offer similar ranges, the 777X is designed to carry a heavier payload.

In other developments, Boeing has hinted at starting production of a new mid-sized aircraft, the Boeing 797, which would likely compete with the Airbus A321 XLR.