New Delhi: Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has imposed a fine of Rs 90 lakh on Tata Group-led Air India for operating a flight with non-qualified crew members. The aviation regulator also imposed penalty of of Rs 6 lakh and Rs 3 lakh on Air India’s Director of Operations and Director of Training, respectively, for the lapse. The penalty was imposed as AI operated a flight commanded by a non-trainer line captain paired with a non-line-released first officer.
The DHCA in its official release informed that it warned the pilot concerned to exercise caution to prevent such occurrences in future.
“Air India Ltd operated a flight commanded by a non-trainer line captain paired with a non-line-released first officer which has been viewed by the regulator as a serious scheduling incident having significant safety ramifications,” the release mentioned.
Why Air India was penalised
The incident was highlighted by the airline itself in its voluntary report submitted on July 10. Taking note of the ‘serious’ issue, the DGCA probed the operations of the carrier, checked the documents and spot check of the scheduling facility.
The aviation regulator stated that its probe concluded that Air India violated rules that compromised safety.
“Based on investigation, it was prima facie revealed that there are deficiencies and multiple violations of the regulatory provisions by several post holders and staff, which could significantly affect safety,” the release said.
The regulatory body in its report mentioned that it had sent show cause notices to the AI flight’s commander and the other personnel of the airline to explain their position.
The DGCA said the replies failed to provide satisfactory justification. And as a result it initiated enforcement action in terms of provisions of the extant rules/ regulations and imposed the above penalty.
DGCA imposed a penalty of Rs 90 lakh on Air India, Rs 6 lakh on the airline’s Director of Operations and Rs 3 lakh on the carrier’s Director of Training.
DGCA has imposed a fine of Rs 90 lakh on Air India for operating a flight with non-qualified crew members. Biz News Business News – Personal Finance News, Share Market News, BSE/NSE News, Stock Exchange News Today
