Breaking News
DGCA Cracks Down on Air India for Safety Lapses in Crew Scheduling
New Delhi, India, June 21, 2025 – India’s aviation watchdog, the DGCA, has ordered Air India to take action against three senior officials after finding serious safety issues in how the airline schedules its pilots. The move, coming after a deadly crash, raises concerns about safety at the Tata-owned airline. Here’s what happened.
The Safety Issues
The violations are worrying:
- Air India scheduled pilots who weren’t fully licensed or rested, including a Bangalore-London flight where crew worked too long.
- The airline ignored rules on pilot training and rest periods, risking flight safety.
- A passenger said, “I trust pilots, but this makes me nervous.”
The findings shook trust.
Who’s Involved
Three officials face trouble:
- Choorah Singh, a top manager, and two scheduling heads, Pinky Mittal and Payal Arora, were named for poor oversight.
- They allowed pilots to fly without proper checks or valid licenses.
- An X post read, “How could Air India miss this? Safety first.”
The DGCA wants answers.
Why It’s Serious
The risks are real:
- These lapses could lead to accidents, like a near-miss seen elsewhere.
- The Tata Group’s plan to improve Air India is now under question.
- A flyer noted, “I thought Tata would make things better, not worse.”
Safety concerns grow.
DGCA’s Response
The regulator acted fast:
- The three officials must be removed from scheduling roles and face internal inquiries.
- Air India faces strict checks for months to ensure safer operations.
- An X user wrote, “Good move, DGCA—hold airlines accountable.”
Rules are tightening.
Air India’s Plan
The airline is responding:
- Air India says it’s working with the DGCA to fix the issues.
- They’re bringing in new safety experts to improve how they operate.
- A spokesperson said, “We’re committed to keeping passengers safe.”
Trust is being rebuilt.
