India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), on July 23 issued four separate show‑cause notices to Air India citing repeated breaches of safety rules linked to crew duty limits, cabin crew training protocols, and operational norms. These recent actions stem from voluntary disclosures made by the airline on June 20 and 21.
According to the notices, a total of 29 violations spanned pilot fatigue management—specifically failures to ensure mandatory rest periods—insufficient simulator and high‑altitude preparation, and instances where ultra‑long‑haul international flights operated with fewer cabin crew members than required.
These regulatory steps follow the June 12 Boeing 787 crash in Ahmedabad, which killed 260 people, after which Air India voluntarily disclosed several safety lapses. The DGCA has warned of possible enforcement action—ranging from fines to executive dismissals—if the airline fails to respond adequately within the stipulated timeframe.
Air India has acknowledged receiving the notices and confirmed that it will reply within the given window, reiterating its commitment to “crew and passenger safety”. The notices come amid intensified scrutiny: the government disclosed in Parliament that Air India received nine separate show‑cause notices over the past six months for various safety‑related infractions.
