**Air India Faces Regulatory Scrutiny Over Crew Scheduling Violations**
**Meta Description:** Air India is under investigation by India’s aviation regulator for serious violations in crew scheduling and licensing, raising safety concerns.
**URL Slug:** air-india-crew-scheduling-violations
**Air India Under Investigation for Crew Scheduling Violations**
Air India is currently facing scrutiny from India’s civil aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), following the airline’s voluntary disclosure of significant violations related to flight crew scheduling. These violations include lapses in licensing, rest, and recency requirements, as well as breaches of Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) Section 7, which governs the standards for personnel involved in flight operations, including pilots and instructors.
In response to these findings, the DGCA has mandated the removal of three key employees from all roles associated with crew scheduling and rostering. The airline has also received a show-cause notice from the regulator, requiring it to explain why it should not face penalties under the Aircraft Rules and Civil Aviation Requirements for the identified violations.
An Air India spokesperson acknowledged the regulator’s directive, stating, “We recognize the regulator’s order and have acted accordingly. In the meantime, our chief operations officer will oversee the integrated operations control center (IOCC) directly. Air India is dedicated to ensuring full compliance with safety protocols and standard practices.”
The DGCA’s directive specifically calls for the immediate removal of Choorah Singh, divisional vice president; Pinky Mittal, chief manager of DOPS crew scheduling; and Payal Arora, crew scheduling-planning. The regulator has instructed Air India to initiate internal disciplinary proceedings against these officials without delay, with the outcome to be reported back to the DGCA within ten days.
The show-cause notice highlights a violation of Para 6.1.3 of CAR Section 7, which stipulates that crew members are limited to a maximum of 10 hours of flying time and 13 hours of duty if the flight extends into night hours beyond their time zone. The accountable manager of Air India is accused of operating two flights from Bangalore to London on May 17 and 18 that exceeded these limits.
This scrutiny comes in the wake of a tragic incident on June 12, when Air India flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London crashed shortly after takeoff, resulting in the loss of over 240 lives. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is currently conducting an investigation into the cause of the accident.
As Air India navigates these serious allegations, the implications for the airline’s operations and reputation remain significant, raising questions about its commitment to safety and regulatory compliance.
**FAQ**
**What are the main violations Air India is being investigated for?**
Air India is being investigated for violations related to crew scheduling, including lapses in licensing, rest, and recency requirements, as well as exceeding flight time limits as outlined in Civil Aviation Requirement Section 7.
