Air India has been fined over safety-related violations

Air India has incurred a fine of over one crore for safety-related breaches on flights operating along specific long-range routes crucial for terrain, as announced by the country’s aviation regulator today. The incident revolves around a pilot’s refusal to operate a direct Bengaluru-San Francisco flight due to insufficient emergency oxygen on board, according to insider sources.

Fined over safety-related violations

After an airline employee voluntarily reported the violations, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) initiated an investigation. The investigation uncovered instances of “non-compliance by the airline,” leading to the issuance of a show cause notice to the airline and, subsequently, the imposition of the penalty.

Following the voluntary safety report received from an airline employee, accusing M/s Air India of safety violations on specific long-range terrain critical routes, the DGCA conducted a thorough investigation into the alleged breaches, as stated by the aviation watchdog.

Sources within the DGCA suggested that the initiative was prompted by a complaint from a former Air India pilot, previously a Boeing 777 commander. In the complaint, filed in late October, the pilot accused Air India of operating its recently leased 777 aircraft (previously belonging to Delta Air Lines) without sufficient emergency oxygen supply for specific flight routes to the US from India.

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This is the second time penalty in a week for Air India

As the operations of the leased aircraft did not adhere to regulatory/OEM performance limits, the DGCA has taken enforcement action and imposed a penalty of ₹1.10 crore on M/s Air India, according to the press note.

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Air India has incurred penalties from the DGCA for the second time in a week. Last Thursday, the airline received a ₹30 lakh fine for inadequate preparedness, resulting in delays due to fog, according to the aviation regulator.