DGCA Fines Air India Rs. 90 Lakh for Operating Flight with Unqualified Crew
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has slapped a Rs.90 lakh fine on Tata-owned Air India for operating a flight with crew members who were not properly qualified. Additionally, the DGCA has imposed individual penalties of Rs.6 lakh and Rs. 3 lakh on Air India’s Director of Operations and Director of Training, respectively.
Safety Concerns
The DGCA reported that the flight in question was piloted by a captain who was not certified for training and a first officer who was not fully cleared for line operations. The regulator deemed this a serious safety issue due to improper crew scheduling.
Investigation Findings
This issue came to light after Air India voluntarily reported the incident on July 10. Following this report, the DGCA conducted an investigation that included reviewing documents and checking the airline’s scheduling procedures. The investigation revealed several safety-related deficiencies and regulatory violations by the airline's staff and management.
Response and Enforcement
The DGCA issued show-cause notices to the flight’s commander and other relevant staff on July 22, asking them to explain the situation. The responses provided were not deemed satisfactory, leading the DGCA to impose fines based on their findings.
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Final Penalties
As a result of these violations, Air India has been fined Rs. 90 lakh. The airline’s Director of Operations faces a Rs. 6 lakh fine, and the Director of Training is fined Rs.3 lakh.
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