India’s aviation regulator has penalised Air India after one of its aircraft was operated multiple times without a valid airworthiness certificate.
What Happened
India’s civil aviation watchdog — the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) — has imposed a ₹1 crore fine on Air India after it found serious compliance lapses involving an Airbus A320 aircraft.
According to the regulator, the aircraft was flown eight times despite lacking a valid airworthiness permit, a mandatory document confirming that a plane is safe to operate.
DGCA Findings
Officials discovered that:
- The aircraft continued commercial operations after its required certification expired
- Mandatory checks and documentation were not properly updated
- Internal oversight failures allowed repeated flights
The DGCA termed it a serious violation of aviation safety norms and imposed the monetary penalty after investigation.
Airline’s Response
Air India acknowledged the issue and stated that it has:
- Taken corrective measures
- Strengthened monitoring procedures
- Ensured stricter compliance going forward
The airline said safety remains its top priority and corrective steps have already been implemented.
Why Certification Is Important
An airworthiness certificate ensures that:
- The aircraft meets safety standards
- Maintenance checks are completed
- The plane is fit for passenger operations
Flying without it is considered a major regulatory breach in global aviation practice.
