Air India Faces DGCA Action, License at Risk Amid Crew Scheduling Lapses

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a stern notice to Air India, which could have its operator’s license suspended or canceled due to “repeated and serious infringements” of pilot duty rostering regulations. This follows the aviation regulator’s instruction the instant remove three senior officers from their positions associated with crew scheduling and flight monitoring.

On June 20, the DGCA issued an enforcement order for the removal of Choorah Singh, the divisional vice president of the Integrated Operations Control Centre (IOCC), Pinky Mittal, chief manager-DOPS, crew scheduling, and Payal Arora, crew scheduling-planning. DGCA has relieved these officers of all duties connected with scheduling and rostering.

DGCA Identifies Systemic Failures in Oversight

The DGCA attributed “systemic failures in crew scheduling, compliance monitoring, and internal accountability” as a basis for its order. It stressed in the order, “Of particular concern is the absence of strict disciplinary action against responsible key officials directly responsible for these operational lapses. These officials have been party to serious and repeated lapses.”

The regulator further stated that any subsequent breaches involving crew scheduling, licensing, or flight time restrictions would “attract strict enforcement action, including but not limited to penalties, license suspension, or withdrawal of operator permissions as applicable.”

Crash Sparks Tighter Scrutiny

The DGCA’s strict action comes in the wake of increasing scrutiny of Air India following the crash on June 12 of its Boeing 787 Dreamliner on a flight from Ahmedabad to London. The crash shortly after takeoff killed 241 of the 242 on board and at least 30 on the ground. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is investigating.

Even though the regulator has not overtly linked the order to enforcement to the crash, evidence scanned by Hindustan Times indicates that tightened scrutiny is already in progress.

Air India Reacts to DGCA Action

In a press statement, Air India assured adherence to the DGCA directive, stating, “In the interim, the chief operations officer of the company will have direct supervision of the IOCC.” The airline further stated, “Air India is committed to ensuring that there is complete adherence to safety protocol and standard practices.”