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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