**Air India Faces Safety Violations Following DGCA Audit**
India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has identified nearly 100 safety violations at Air India, including seven critical lapses, after a comprehensive audit of the airline’s operations at its Gurugram base earlier this month. The audit, conducted from July 1 to July 4, scrutinized various aspects of the airline’s operations, including flight scheduling, crew rostering, and compliance with safety regulations.
The DGCA’s findings revealed non-compliance in several key areas, such as crew training, adherence to duty and rest period regulations, insufficient crew strength, and airfield qualifications. Among the violations, seven were categorized as Level-1, indicating serious safety risks that necessitate immediate corrective measures.
In response to the audit, Air India acknowledged receipt of the report and committed to addressing the findings within the specified timeframe. The airline emphasized its dedication to safety, stating, “All airlines undergo regular audits to test and continuously strengthen processes. Air India’s annual DGCA audit took place in July, during which it was fully transparent with auditors in the spirit of continuous improvement.” The airline plans to submit its response to the regulator, detailing the corrective actions taken.
This audit comes in the wake of increased scrutiny following a tragic incident on June 12, when an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, resulting in the deaths of 241 individuals on board and 19 on the ground. This incident marked the deadliest aviation disaster in India in over a decade.
In light of the serious violations, the DGCA previously instructed Air India to remove three officials from crew scheduling and rostering duties. Additionally, on July 23, the regulator issued four show-cause notices related to breaches of cabin crew rest norms, training regulations, and operational protocols, following voluntary disclosures from the airline.
A preliminary report released by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) regarding the AI171 crash indicated that fuel supply to both engines was cut off within seconds of each other shortly after takeoff. The cockpit voice recorder captured a conversation between the pilots, highlighting the confusion surrounding the fuel switches, which had shifted from ‘RUN’ to ‘CUTOFF’ almost simultaneously.
As Air India navigates these challenges, the airline remains focused on ensuring the safety of its passengers and crew, reinforcing its commitment to compliance and operational excellence.
**FAQ**
**What actions is Air India taking in response to the DGCA audit?**
Air India has acknowledged the findings of the DGCA audit and is preparing a response that includes details of the corrective actions being implemented to address the identified safety violations.