Air India Licence at Risk as DGCA Cracks Down on ‘Systemic Failures’
June 23, 2025 | In a major regulatory escalation, India’s civil aviation watchdog DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) has warned Air India that its operating license is under threat, citing “repeated and serious violations” in **pilot duty scheduling, compliance monitoring, and internal accountability mechanisms.”
This comes just days after the tragic June 12 crash of an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which claimed 241 passenger lives and over 30 on the ground, triggering intensified scrutiny of the airline’s safety practices.
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In a scathing enforcement order issued on June 20, the DGCA held senior Air India personnel responsible for “systemic failures” and ordered the immediate removal of three top officials:
The DGCA expressed alarm over the lack of disciplinary actions previously taken against these officials despite “serious and repeated lapses.”
Also Read: Air India Crash Triggers 20% Drop in Bookings, Fares Down Up to 15% Across Routes
The regulator has also ordered a comprehensive review of all inspection and audit reports dating back to 2024, and issued a final warning:
“Any future violation of crew scheduling norms, licensing, or flight time limitations… will attract strict enforcement action, including but not limited to penalties, license suspension, or withdrawal of operator permissions,” the DGCA said.
The warning comes in the wake of the deadliest aviation accident on Indian soil in over a decade. The London-bound Air India Dreamliner, departing from Ahmedabad, crashed shortly after takeoff, killing 241 of the 242 people on board and over 30 individuals on the ground.
Also Read: Doctor Threatens to Crash Bengaluru-Surat Air India Flight, Arrested
Investigations by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) are underway, though early probes suggest lapses in crew fatigue management and emergency response preparedness.
This isn’t the first time Air India has come under fire. Recent reports revealed that the airline operated Airbus planes overdue for emergency equipment inspections, prompting another DGCA warning earlier this year.
In response, Air India confirmed compliance with the DGCA directive, stating:
“The named officials have been removed. The Chief Operations Officer will now provide direct oversight to IOCC operations.”
The airline added, “We are fully committed to safety and strict adherence to aviation norms.”
With the DGCA adopting a zero-tolerance approach following the fatal crash, Air India’s very future could be at stake. The next few months may determine whether India’s national carrier can recover its standing—or face unprecedented regulatory consequences, including a license suspension.
📌 Tags:
Air India, DGCA, aviation safety, crew scheduling, Boeing 787 crash, IOCC, license suspension, airline regulation, Ahmedabad crash, aviation news
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