Air India Penalised ₹1 Crore by DGCA for Flying Aircraft Without Permit
Regulator flags repeated safety lapses; airline assures compliance as leadership change looms amid financial and operational challenges.
New Delhi, Feb 14 : The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has imposed a ₹1 crore fine on Air India for operating an Airbus A320 aircraft eight times without a valid Airworthiness Review Certificate (ARC), describing the violation as “serious” and holding senior management accountable.
The DGCA noted that the aircraft flew multiple sectors, including routes connecting New Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Hyderabad, between November 24 and 25 last year without the mandatory certification. The ARC is an annual clearance issued by the aviation regulator after thorough safety and compliance checks, and flying without it is considered a major breach of aviation norms.
The regulator also highlighted what it termed the airline’s “casual approach” toward operational compliance. Responding to the order, an Air India spokesperson said, “Air India acknowledges receipt of the DGCA order regarding an incident voluntarily reported in 2025. All identified gaps have since been addressed and shared with the authority. The airline remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of operational safety and integrity.”
The fine comes amid a challenging period for Air India. Following the Boeing 787 Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad in June 2025, the airline has struggled to achieve financial turnaround post-privatisation. Operational hurdles such as Pakistan’s airspace closure, which has led to longer flight routes and higher costs, have further strained performance.
Sources indicate that Air India is preparing for a leadership transition, with CEO Campbell Wilson expected to step down when his contract ends in mid-2027. Tata Group Chairman N. Chandrasekaran has held preliminary discussions with potential candidates to lead the airline, as the March 31 target for achieving break-even appears unlikely.
The DGCA’s fine underscores regulatory scrutiny on operational safety and compliance as Air India navigates financial and operational pressures while preparing for a new leadership phase.
