KKN Gurugram Desk | In a significant regulatory move, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a show-cause notice to Air India, questioning the airline’s alleged violations of flight duty time limitations (FDTL). The aviation authority has demanded a formal response from the airline within seven days, while also directing disciplinary action against three Air India officials involved in flight crew scheduling.

This notice comes in the wake of heightened scrutiny following the Ahmedabad runway incident, which has prompted DGCA to tighten its oversight on aircraft safety compliance and crew duty regulations across Indian airlines.

 DGCA Accuses Air India of Violating Flight Time Regulations

The DGCA’s primary concern stems from two international flights operated by Air India on May 16 and 17, 2025, from Bengaluru to London. According to the DGCA’s findings during a surprise inspection, the flight crew on both journeys exceeded the maximum duty limit of 10 hours, which is a breach of India’s aviation safety norms.

The notice, addressed to Air India’s Accountable Manager, questions why punitive action should not be initiated for these violations. The aviation regulator has made it clear that failure to respond within the stipulated time frame may result in regulatory action under India’s civil aviation rules.

 Crew Scheduling Under Investigation

The DGCA is not just stopping at the airline’s senior management. In its official order dated June 20, the authority also flagged irregularities in crew rostering practices and has issued individual notices to three senior officials of Air India, including a Divisional Vice President.

The regulator has expressed concern that internal disciplinary action has not been taken against those directly responsible for operational lapses. As a preventive measure, the DGCA has directed Air India to initiate internal inquiry proceedings without delay. Should any further violations occur, these officials risk removal from their current roles.

 Ahmedabad Incident Triggers Industry-Wide Scrutiny

The development comes shortly after an incident involving an aircraft skidding off the runway in Ahmedabad, which has pushed the DGCA into proactive enforcement mode. The aviation watchdog has reportedly launched random inspections and compliance audits on various operational aspects including flight duty limits, aircraft maintenance, and crew rest regulations.

This intensified regulatory posture is seen as a signal to all carriers operating under India’s aviation framework that compliance lapses will not be tolerated, especially when safety is at stake.

 Air India Responds: Compliance Measures Already in Place

In response to the allegations, Air India has stated that it is taking the DGCA’s concerns seriously. The airline confirmed that it has issued internal directives in line with the regulator’s notice. Air India also assured that it has strengthened real-time oversight mechanisms to ensure no recurrence of such violations.

Air India reiterated its commitment to ensuring passenger and crew safety, emphasizing that it is working proactively to strengthen its internal compliance systems.

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 DGCA: Air India Failed to Act on Key Lapses

In its notice, the DGCA pointed out that despite the acknowledgment of violations, Air India has not taken strong disciplinary action against key personnel who were directly accountable for breaching safety norms.

The aviation authority further remarked that such lapses in crew scheduling and duty limit adherence pose serious risks to flight safety, especially on long-haul international routes where fatigue can be a critical factor.

The regulator’s concern was amplified by Air India’s voluntary disclosure of these lapses—an action that, while transparent, also highlighted gaps in internal monitoring systems.

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 Leadership Response: Air India CEO Comments on Safety Measures

A day before the notice was made public, Air India CEO and Managing Director Campbell Wilson addressed the media regarding aircraft safety protocols. He stated that the airline had already initiated comprehensive technical checks across its fleet, including Boeing 787 aircraft and other long-range planes.

“All operational aircraft have undergone rigorous inspection and have been cleared as flight-worthy. Passenger safety remains our top priority,” Wilson said.

His remarks are now being interpreted in the context of DGCA’s notice, suggesting that Air India was already under internal review when the violations came to light.

This development highlights the growing tension between India’s aviation regulator and airlines over strict enforcement of safety protocols. With increasing passenger volumes and international operations, compliance with flight duty time limits and crew scheduling regulations is more critical than ever.

As the situation unfolds, the coming week will be crucial in determining whether Air India’s internal response satisfies DGCA’s regulatory standards, or whether the airline will face more severe penalties.

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