(Image source from: Timesnownews.com)
The aviation regulatory body Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has fined Air India $110,350 (around Rs 1 crore) for using an Airbus plane on eight flights without a legitimate airworthiness permit, based on a private order issued earlier this month, as reported by news agency Reuters. An Airbus A320 carried passengers between New Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Hyderabad from November 24 to 25 without the required Airworthiness Review Certificate, or ARC, which is an essential permit given each year by the regulator when an aircraft passes safety evaluations and compliance tests. According to the order dated February 5, 2026, given to Air India CEO Campbell Wilson, Joint Director General of Civil Aviation Maneesh Kumar mentioned that the security oversight had “further undermined public trust and negatively affected the organization's safety compliance. "
An internal review carried out by Air India labeled the situation as resulting from “systemic failures" and recognized the immediate need to enhance its compliance culture. The investigation also reportedly pointed fingers at the pilots who ran the eight flights, stating they didn’t adhere to standard operating protocols before take-off, according to the news agency. The regulator made the airline’s accountable manager responsible for the violation and instructed the airline to pay the fine within 30 days. Meanwhile, Air India replied to the DGCA's order, stating that all identified issues have been resolved satisfactorily and communicated with the authority. “Air India confirms receiving a DGCA order regarding an incident that was voluntarily reported in 2025. All noted shortcomings have been resolved satisfactorily and communicated with the authority. "
Air India remains dedicated to upholding the highest standards of operational safety and integrity," said a spokesperson for Air India. The airline has faced more scrutiny regarding safety protocols in recent months. Previously, it received warnings from the regulatory body for flying planes without properly checking emergency equipment and for other audit issues. This new penalty came months after Air India experienced its worst accident on June 12 when a London-bound Boeing Dreamliner, with 242 people on board, including former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani, crashed into a medical college area shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. A total of 275 individuals lost their lives, including 120 men, 124 women, and 16 children.
