India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has directed Air India to remove three senior officials from their crew scheduling roles due to serious breaches in procedures.
The decision, announced on June 20, 2025, follows a detailed review that exposed systemic failures in crew scheduling, compliance monitoring, and accountability.
The DGCA’s review involved the investigation of Air India’s Integrated Operations Control Centre (IOCC). This centre oversees flight operations across the carrier’s domestic and international network.
What Prompted the DGCA’s Action?
The DGCA’s order targets three key figures, including the Divisional Vice President, Integrated Operations Control Centre. It also includes the Chief Manager – DOPS, Crew Scheduling, and a Crew Scheduling – Planning representative.
These officials were held accountable for repeated violations in crew scheduling practices. These allegedly include unauthorized crew pairings, non-compliance with licensing and recency norms, and breaches of flight duty time limitations (FDTL).
Such lapses compromise flight safety and violate regulatory standards.
The issues came to light during a post-transition review of Air India’s crew management system, which shifted from the ARMS platform to the CAE Flight and Crew Management System in May 2024.
Air India voluntarily disclosed these violations, revealing critical oversights in their scheduling processes. A notable case involved two Bengaluru-London flights (AI133) on May 16 and 17, 2025, where pilots exceeded the mandated 10-hour flight time limit.
This prompted the DGCA to issue a show-cause notice to the airline.
DGCA’s Response and Penalties
The DGCA’s response was swift and firm. In addition to ordering the removal of the three officials, the regulator imposed a ₹90 lakh fine on Air India.
Further penalties of ₹6 lakh and ₹3 lakh were levied on the airline’s director of operations and director of training, respectively.
The officials have been reassigned to non-operational roles while Air India implements corrective measures. The airline must also initiate internal disciplinary proceedings within 10 days and report the outcomes to the DGCA.
The regulator warned that any future violations could lead to severe consequences, including hefty penalties, license suspensions, or even the withdrawal of Air India’s operating permissions.
To ensure compliance, the DGCA has requested details of all audits and inspections conducted on Air India since 2024. This heightened scrutiny underscores the regulator’s commitment to upholding safety standards in Indian aviation.
Air India’s Response
Air India has acknowledged the DGCA’s directive and confirmed compliance. The airline stated that its chief operations officer would temporarily oversee the Integrated Operations Control Centre to strengthen adherence to safety protocols.
This move aims to restore confidence in Air India’s operational integrity, especially in the wake of recent challenges.
The directive comes at a sensitive time for Air India, following the tragic crash of Flight AI-171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. The accident in Ahmedabad on June 12 is the subject of ongoing investigations to determine the cause.
The incident has intensified public and regulatory focus on the airline’s safety practices, making the DGCA’s latest action particularly significant.
Broader Implications
The DGCA’s order highlights the critical importance of robust crew scheduling systems in ensuring flight safety.
Violations like exceeding flight time limits or improper crew pairings can lead to fatigue-related risks, endangering passengers and crew.
For Air India, this incident underscores the need for rigorous internal oversight and seamless technology transitions to prevent future lapses.
As the airline navigates these challenges, the aviation industry watches closely. The airline’s ability to implement reforms and regain trust will be crucial.
