India’s civil aviation authority fined Air India $110,350 for flying an Airbus plane eight times without an airworthiness permit. The lapse matters because it undermined public trust and raised concerns over airline safety compliance. The fine directly affects Air India, its management, and passengers relying on its operations.
The incident involved an Airbus A320 operating flights between New Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Hyderabad on November 24-25 without a valid Airworthiness Review Certificate. The ARC is an annual permit granted after regulators verify aircraft safety and compliance. Officials said operating without the certificate represented a serious regulatory breach.
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A confidential penalty order issued on February 5 found Air India CEO Campbell Wilson accountable for the lapses. Joint Director General of Civil Aviation Maneesh Kumar stated that systemic failures within the airline eroded public confidence. The airline was instructed to deposit 10 million Indian rupees, approximately $110,350, within 30 days.
Air India’s internal investigation highlighted pilot non-compliance with standard operating procedures and broader systemic failures in safety oversight. The airline also faced previous warnings for operating aircraft without proper checks of emergency equipment and audit irregularities. Experts said the penalties underscore the need for stronger compliance culture at major carriers.
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The fine comes after Air India’s worst aviation disaster last June, when a Boeing Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff, killing 260 people. Airline officials have not commented publicly on the recent penalty, but regulators said the action is intended to reinforce safety protocols and restore passenger confidence.