The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has imposed a heavy fine of Rs 1 Crore on Air India. This strict action was taken after the airline was found operating a passenger aircraft without a valid Airworthiness Review Certificate (ARC). The aviation regulator discovered that the plane completed eight commercial flights across the country despite lacking the mandatory safety permit required to fly.
Details of the Safety Lapse
The incident occurred on November 24 and 25, 2025. The aircraft involved was an Airbus A320, which was previously part of the Vistara fleet. This plane carried passengers between major Indian cities, including Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Hyderabad, without the necessary regulatory clearance.
According to the findings, the aircraft had been on the ground for maintenance work for a month. During this period, its airworthiness license expired. However, the airline returned the plane to service for commercial flights without conducting the mandatory renewal check. This failure to renew the permit is a serious breach of aviation rules.
Strict Action and Penalties
Operating an aircraft with an expired safety certificate is considered a Level 10 offense, which is the highest category of violation under the Aircraft Rules, 1937. The DGCA has ordered Air India to deposit the fine amount within 30 days. The regulator stated that such lapses erode public confidence in the safety compliance of the organization.
In addition to the financial penalty, the following actions have been taken:
- Two senior executives from the airline’s engineering department have been suspended.
- The DGCA identified CEO Campbell Wilson as the accountable manager responsible for these systemic failures.
- The airline’s internal probe also blamed pilots for not following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) before takeoff.
Airline’s Response to the Order
Air India has accepted the penalty and stated that the incident was reported voluntarily by them in 2025. A spokesperson for the airline confirmed that they have addressed all the gaps identified during the investigation to prevent such issues in the future.
Reports suggest that the DGCA is now closely monitoring the compliance culture within the airline. The Rs 1 Crore penalty represents the maximum fine permissible under the current rules for this specific type of safety violation.
