**Air India Officials Removed Amid Safety Protocol Violations**
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken decisive action against Air India by ordering the removal of three senior officials from their crew scheduling duties due to serious breaches of aviation safety protocols. The officials affected are Choorah Singh, Divisional Vice President; Pinky Mittal, Chief Manager – DOPS, Crew Scheduling; and Payal Arora, Crew Scheduling – Planning.
This directive, issued on June 20, highlights multiple infractions by the officials, including unauthorized crew pairings, violations of licensing regulations, and failures in ensuring adequate crew rest. These lapses have raised significant concerns, especially following a tragic incident where an Air India flight from Ahmedabad to Gatwick, London, crashed shortly after takeoff, resulting in the loss of over 270 lives.
In light of these violations, the DGCA has mandated that Air India immediately reassign the implicated officials to non-operational roles. Furthermore, the airline is required to initiate internal disciplinary proceedings against them and submit a report to the DGCA within ten days. The order explicitly states, “Internal disciplinary proceedings must be initiated against these officials without delay, and the outcome of such proceedings shall be reported to this office within 10 days from the date of issue of this letter.”
The officials will remain barred from any positions that could directly impact flight safety and crew compliance until further notice. The DGCA’s order emphasizes the need for corrective reforms in scheduling practices to prevent future incidents.
These issues were uncovered during a post-transition audit from the ARMS to the CAE Flight and Crew Management System. Additionally, the DGCA has issued a show-cause notice to Air India’s Accountable Manager after a spot check revealed that two flights from Bengaluru to London (AI-133) on May 16 and 17, 2025, exceeded the permissible flight time limit of 10 hours. The Accountable Manager has been given seven days to explain the violations and why enforcement action should not be taken.
As the aviation industry continues to prioritize safety, these developments underscore the importance of strict adherence to regulations and the accountability of airline officials in maintaining operational integrity.
**FAQ**
**What actions has the DGCA taken against Air India officials?**
The DGCA has ordered the removal of three key Air India officials from crew scheduling duties due to serious safety protocol violations and mandated internal disciplinary proceedings against them.