Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Feb 13: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has imposed a penalty of Rs 1 crore on Air India for operating an Airbus A320 aircraft eight times without a valid Airworthiness Review Certificate (ARC), describing the lapse as a serious violation and holding the airline’s top management accountable.
According to the regulator’s order, the Airbus A320 was flown on multiple sectors — including routes linking New Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai and Hyderabad — between November 24 and 25 last year despite the mandatory ARC having expired. The ARC is an annual certification issued after an aircraft passes prescribed safety and compliance checks, and operating without it constitutes a breach of aviation safety norms.
Sources indicated that the DGCA viewed the matter strictly, flagging what it termed a “casual approach” toward compliance requirements.
In a statement, an Air India spokesperson said the airline had voluntarily reported the incident in 2025 and had since addressed all identified gaps. “Air India acknowledges the receipt of a DGCA order in relation to an incident that was voluntarily reported back in 2025. All identified gaps have since been satisfactorily addressed and shared with the authority. Air India remains unwavering in its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of operational integrity and safety,” the spokesperson said.
The development comes at a challenging time for the Tata Group-owned carrier, which has been navigating operational and financial headwinds since its privatisation. The airline suffered a major setback following a Boeing 787 Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad in June 2025, impacting its revival plans.
Air India is also reportedly in the process of identifying a new chief executive to replace Campbell Wilson, whose contract runs until mid-2027 but who is said to be disinclined to continue. Tata Group Chairman N. Chandrasekaran has held preliminary discussions with potential candidates experienced in managing large global airlines, according to sources.
The leadership review comes amid indications that Air India may fall short of its March 31 break-even target. Additional operational pressures — including Pakistan’s closure of its airspace to Indian carriers, resulting in longer routes and higher operating costs — have further strained the airline’s financial performance.