MUMBAI : Air India is facing tough questions from India’s aviation watchdog after a 164-seater A320 aircraft was flown on November 24 and 25 despite its safety certificate having expired. The lapse went unnoticed for nearly 48 hours and came to light only when an engineer flagged the missing documentation during a routine inspection.
The DGCA confirmed it has initiated an investigation, calling the incident a grave safety oversight with potential implications for passenger safety and regulatory compliance. “All staff members involved in the decision-making process have been placed under suspension,” the regulator stated.
Air India, acknowledging the violation, said it immediately reported the incident to the DGCA and has begun a comprehensive internal probe. “All personnel associated with the decision have been placed under suspension, pending further review,” the airline said, adding that it is fully cooperating with authorities.
An airworthiness certificate is a mandatory annual document issued after confirming that an aircraft has undergone prescribed maintenance and is safe to operate. Operating an aircraft without this certificate is a major offence and may attract severe penalties, including possible action against senior airline officials.
The DGCA also shed light on the administrative background to the lapse, pointing to the ongoing integration of Vistara into Air India. Under the merger plan, the regulator is responsible for renewing the first Airworthiness Review Certificate for all 70 Vistara aircraft. While 69 renewals were completed following operator compliance, the 70th aircraft remained grounded for an engine change during the renewal window. Its ARC expired during this period, but the aircraft was subsequently released for service after the engine replacement, leading to its eight unauthorized flights.
The incident is likely to be classified as a Level 1 safety violation, among the most serious under DGCA norms. It adds to growing concerns over Air India’s operational oversight at a time when the airline has faced multiple procedural hiccups in recent months.
DGCA has launched an investigation into Air India for flying an A320 without a valid safety certificate on November 24 and 25. The oversight, tied to Vistara’s merger process, was discovered during a routine check. The airline suspended all responsible staff and is cooperating fully, as the violation is considered among the most severe under aviation norms.