Air India Grounded After Flying 8 Flights With Expired Certificate, DGCA Probes
Air India Grounded After Flying 8 Flights With Expired Certificate, DGCA Probes
DGCA launches probe after Air India operated eight flights with an expired Airworthiness Review Certificate amid a merger transition.
In a startling development, Air India grounded its 70th aircraft after it was found to have operated eight commercial flights with an expired Airworthiness Review Certificate. The lapse occurred during the Vistara-Air India merger transition, with the renewal delayed due to an engine change on the involved aircraft.
The aviation regulator DGCA has launched a formal investigation into how the expired certificate passed through the clearance process. The airline confirmed that personnel involved have been de-rostered pending the probe, signaling a serious look at how maintenance and flight-clearance steps were handled.
Eight flights under this lapse have raised questions about internal checks and the clearance chain in a large and rapidly adjusting fleet. The incident highlights the operational challenges that can accompany major corporate transitions and fleet changes, underscoring the need for rigorous documentation and approval controls.
Air safety remains the top priority, and authorities say appropriate actions will be taken if fault is found. The incident could lead to disciplinary measures for involved crew and ground staff and may prompt changes to processes to prevent a repeat.
Observers note that this episode underscores the importance of strict certification management in India’s busy aviation sector, especially during periods of corporate transition, where maintenance handovers and schedules can become more complex.
