Air India, one of the largest airlines in India, has drawn the ire of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for serious lapses in compliance regarding engine parts modifications. In March, officials publicly shamed the low-cost carrier Air India Express. They did not properly complete engine part replacements on an Airbus A320 within the required time limits. This incident is indicative of a larger trend of non-compliance, with several recent infractions listed by the DGCA.
Air India Express faced three cases of failing to replace engine components as needed. At the same time, its parent company, Air India, was hit by eight such violations. The DGCA found that both companies had been creating counterfeit documents. They took these actions in order to create the appearance that they had implemented all needed changes. This is an extremely dangerous situation. In light of the potential dangers associated with engine component failure, these changes were mandated by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency.
Safety Violations and Regulatory Actions
DGCA had raised the lapse in the modification of engine parts during an audit done in October 2024. The aircraft at issue flew only a handful of flights. It was already past due for the phased-in replacement of CFM engine components. Such negligence could have dire consequences. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency recently released an urgent safety warning. In fact, they said failing to correct these conditions would create “potential for high energy debris release,” putting the aircraft and its controllability at “high risk.”
Concerned about the rise in safety infractions in the aviation industry, the Indian government has recently recognized the need. In February, members of parliament discovered that other airlines received similar warnings or fines in 2022. Air India led the pack to be named on 23 different times. In June, the DGCA escalated its warning to Air India. They had previously issued an enforcement letter to the airline for egregious breaches related to pilot duty time or other operational criteria.
“Such issues should be fixed immediately. It’s a grave mistake.” – Vibhuti Singh
Falsification of Records
According to an investigation by the Indian Express, Air India and Air India Express backdated records to indicate they had made regulatory-required modifications to engines. Unfortunately, this has only escalated the crisis. An internal confidential memo from the Indian government specified, “In order to show that the work has been carried out within the prescribed limits, the AMOS records have apparently been altered/forged.”
This announcement shines a light on a disturbing trend in the airline. Their operational credibility might be hurt too since they are trying to hoodwink regulators. The DGCA’s tough stance highlights the need for transparency and accountability to drive aviation safety.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has announced plans to further investigate these matters, emphasizing the importance of adhering to safety protocols.
“We will investigate this matter further with.” – European Union Aviation Safety Agency
Impact on Operations and Public Trust
Air India has currently a fleet of 115+ aircraft and covers 50+ domestic and international destinations with about 500 daily flights. The latest disclosures threaten to shatter public confidence and erode the airline’s hard-earned reputation of being the safest way to fly.
Travelers depend on airlines to uphold the highest safety standards, and whenever safety protocols are cut corners with, it is felt across the board. The ongoing scrutiny from regulatory bodies like the DGCA and international agencies illustrates the critical need for airlines to prioritize compliance over profit.
Air India is already making moves to solve all of these shortcomings. Stakeholders will be looking to see how the airline continues upholding the highest operational standards and regulatory requirements in the future.
