India’s civil aviation authority has imposed a fine of US$110,350 on Air India for operating an Airbus A320 aircraft without the mandatory Airworthiness Review Certificate on multiple occasions. The flights took place between November 24 and 25, involving routes across major Indian cities including New Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Hyderabad. An internal investigation by the airline identified systemic failures, acknowledging a need to enhance compliance practices and safety culture.
This incident has heightened concerns over regulatory enforcement and safety oversight within India’s aviation sector. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) emphasized that such lapses undermine public trust and compromise safety standards. The airline has been instructed to deposit the penalty within 30 days, while investigations reveal that pilots did not follow proper standard operating procedures before takeoff, exacerbating safety risks.
Previously, Air India experienced its most severe disaster, with a Boeing Dreamliner crash resulting in 260 fatalities. The current event underscores ongoing safety challenges faced by large international carriers operating in India, especially amid operational lapses and aging aircraft. Maintaining rigorous safety compliance remains vital to restoring and sustaining public confidence in the airline industry.
