India’s aviation regulator has warned Air India over serious safety violations linked to crew fatigue management and poor training practices. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued four notices dated July 23, raising concerns about repeated non-compliance. These warnings come shortly after a deadly crash in Ahmedabad involving an Air India Boeing 787, which killed 260 people.
According to the notices, Air India self-reported the lapses, including 29 separate violations such as failure to give pilots mandatory rest, poor simulator training, and flying international routes with fewer cabin crew than required. Despite earlier warnings, the DGCA stated that systemic issues still remain unresolved and effective control mechanisms have not been enforced by the airline.
The airline admitted the disclosures were voluntary and took place over the past year. However, the DGCA emphasized that weekly rest violations for pilots and expired simulator training sessions continue to pose serious risks. One violation even involved a pilot flying from Kathmandu without completing the special training needed for that airport, which has a challenging high-altitude, table-top runway.
In addition to these concerns, Air India Express, the airline’s budget arm, is also under investigation by the EU aviation agency for failing to replace engine parts on time. Earlier this year, Indian authorities found that three Airbus planes were flown without timely checks on emergency equipment. These repeated incidents have raised alarms about the airline’s overall safety culture.
The government notices were addressed to senior Air India officials, including the director of flight operations and the training director. A government source said authorities feel Air India is “taking things for granted” after receiving nine warning notices in the past six months. Out of 23 safety violations by airlines last year, eleven involved the Air India group.
These setbacks come at a crucial time for Tata Group, which took over Air India in 2022 to rebuild it into a world-class airline. However, continued lapses in safety and training may severely damage public trust and regulatory confidence if not swiftly addressed.