DGCA Takes Action Against Air India Officials Over Safety Violations in Crew Scheduling

 New Delhi | June 21, 2025 In a decisive move, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Friday ordered immediate action against three senior Air India officials for what it described as “serious and repeated violations” concerning flight crew rostering and scheduling protocols.

The violations, voluntarily disclosed by the airline, revealed that flight crews had been scheduled to operate flights despite failing to meet key regulatory requirements, including mandatory licensing, rest periods, and recent flying experience. The DGCA characterized the lapses as grave and warned that such deviations from established norms posed direct risks to flight safety.

In a formal directive, the aviation regulator instructed Air India to initiate internal disciplinary proceedings against the three identified officials without delay and to report the outcomes within ten days. Furthermore, the DGCA mandated that these individuals be reassigned to non-operational roles pending comprehensive reforms in scheduling practices. They are barred from holding any position that could influence flight safety or crew compliance until further notice.

The three officials held accountable are:

• Choorah Singh, Divisional Vice President

• Pinky Mittal, Chief Manager, Directorate of Operations – Crew Scheduling

• Payal Arora, Planning Lead, Crew Scheduling

The regulator emphasized that any future breach of crew scheduling norms, licensing standards, or flight time limitations identified through audits or inspections would invite strict enforcement actions. These may include monetary penalties, suspension of licenses, or even the withdrawal of operator permissions, as deemed necessary.

This enforcement order comes in the wake of a tragic Air India incident earlier this week, where a flight from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick crashed shortly after takeoff, resulting in the deaths of all 241 people on board. The crash has placed Air India's operational protocols under intense scrutiny.

In response, Air India issued a statement acknowledging the DGCA’s directive and confirming compliance. “In the interim, the Chief Operations Officer will provide direct oversight to the Integrated Operations Control Centre (IOCC),” the airline said. “Air India remains fully committed to ensuring strict adherence to safety regulations and operational standards.”

The incident has reignited concerns over regulatory compliance and oversight in India’s aviation sector, prompting calls for systemic reforms and heightened accountability.