The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered Air India to remove three senior personnel from their roles related to crew scheduling after uncovering critical failures in adhering to regulatory requirements concerning pilot licensing, mandated rest periods, and recent operational experience.&nbsp;
These failures were brought to light during an internal review that followed a software migration in the airline&rsquo;s crew rostering system, reportedly implemented in May 2024.
The directive, issued on June 20, highlights what the regulator describes as a &ldquo;systemic breakdown&rdquo; in compliance oversight and internal accountability. According to the DGCA, the airline, during its system transition, voluntarily reported instances where pilots were rostered and flown in breach of operational norms.&nbsp;
While the transparency was acknowledged, the authority stressed that the disclosures exposed significant structural flaws.
Among those named is the Divisional Vice President of the Integrated Operations Control Centre (IOCC), which oversees crucial aspects of flight operations, including scheduling of pilots and cabin crew. The DGCA specified that the individuals had engaged in repeated violations, including unauthorised pairings of crew, ignoring licensing prerequisites, and failing to enforce recency rules.
The aviation regulator&rsquo;s directive mandates the immediate removal of the three officials from any responsibilities involving scheduling and roster management. It further instructs Air India to initiate internal disciplinary procedures without delay and submit the results within 10 days. Until the airline completes reforms in its scheduling practices, the affected officials are barred from positions that may impact flight safety or crew compliance, and will be placed in non-operational roles.
The formal communication from DGCA reads: &ldquo;These violations were discovered during review (in crew rostering platform transition). The voluntary disclosures, while noted, point to systemic failures in crew scheduling, compliance monitoring, and internal accountability. Of particular concern is the absence of strict disciplinary measures against key officials directly responsible for these operational lapses.&rdquo;
In its response, Air India confirmed that it had complied with the directive, stating, &ldquo;We acknowledge the regulator&rsquo;s directive and have implemented the order. In the interim, the company&rsquo;s Chief Operations Officer will provide direct oversight to the Integrated Operations Control Centre (IOCC). Air India is committed to ensuring that there is total adherence to safety protocols and standard practices.&rdquo;
The DGCA also issued a show-cause notice to Air India concerning two Bangalore to London flights operated on May 16 and 17, where pilots exceeded the ten-hour flight duty limit in place at the time. The agency has demanded an explanation within seven days, stating, &ldquo;Accountable manager has failed to ensure adherence.&rdquo;
Further reinforcing its stance, the DGCA cautioned Air India that any recurrence of scheduling violations, breach of licensing regulations, or exceedance of authorised flight durations will prompt strict punitive action. This could include financial penalties, suspension of pilot licences, or revocation of operating approvals.
The latest enforcement action comes amid intensified scrutiny of Air India&rsquo;s safety and operational standards, following a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad last week.
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Air India faces DGCA heat after officials allowed pilots to fly beyond permitted duty limits.

DGCA Orders Removal of Air India Officials

Air India faces DGCA heat after officials allowed pilots to fly beyond permitted duty limits.

June 21, 2025 | 19:56 IST