India’s aviation safety watchdog has issued a stark warning to Air India, cautioning that the airline may face suspension or even cancellation of its licence following repeated lapses in operational compliance. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken decisive enforcement action against senior personnel responsible for crew scheduling and flight operations oversight, citing systemic violations that compromise passenger safety.
In its enforcement order dated June 20, the DGCA directed Air India to immediately remove three senior officials from critical roles linked to crew rostering and flight duty management. The individuals — previously overseeing the airline’s Integrated Operations Control Centre (IOCC) and crew scheduling functions — were found responsible for persistent failures to uphold DGCA-mandated flight time limitations and pilot rest norms.
The regulator flagged “serious and recurrent operational lapses” and “inadequate institutional accountability,” calling out a lack of corrective discipline within the airline’s internal systems. It noted that key officials continued in sensitive positions despite being directly responsible for these violations, creating what officials described as a culture of procedural disregard.The action comes amid heightened scrutiny of Air India’s safety performance. Although the DGCA has not explicitly linked the enforcement order to the tragic crash of an Air India Dreamliner flight from Ahmedabad to London on June 12 — which resulted in the deaths of over 270 people — industry experts believe the crackdown reflects an urgent push to reassert regulatory control.
According to insiders, the violations uncovered include failures to follow crew duty rosters within prescribed fatigue risk parameters, discrepancies in pilot scheduling, and inadequate internal monitoring of safety compliance. These operational shortcomings not only breach aviation safety protocols but could also raise concerns at international watchdogs evaluating India’s airworthiness credentials.In its order, the DGCA stated: “Of particular concern is the absence of strict disciplinary measures against key officials directly responsible for these operational lapses. These officials have been involved in serious and repeated lapses.”
Reacting to the directive, Air India confirmed the removal of the named officials and announced that its Chief Operations Officer would take direct charge of the IOCC. “Air India is committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety and regulatory adherence,” the airline stated, while assuring cooperation with further regulatory reviews.Despite this assurance, the DGCA has taken a firm stance. It has warned that any future violations of licensing norms, flight duty limitations, or post-audit discrepancies will trigger strict enforcement actions, including suspension or revocation of the airline’s licence.
The unfolding events underline the growing tension between legacy operational systems and the demand for 21st-century aviation accountability. As India accelerates its ambitions to be a global aviation hub, the pressure on both private carriers and public regulators to demonstrate consistent safety governance has never been higher.For Air India, now operating under private ownership after decades as a national carrier, the situation is particularly delicate. Having committed to rebuilding its global reputation and modernising operations, it now faces a renewed test of institutional integrity — one that will likely influence investor confidence, international partnerships, and public trust.
While the regulator’s immediate intervention serves the cause of passenger safety, the broader message is aimed at the entire aviation ecosystem. In a high-growth, high-risk environment, cutting corners on compliance is no longer an option — and the skies of India are being closely watched.
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