Air India Faces Heavy Fine from DGCA of Rs 80 Lakh

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has slapped a huge fine of Rs 80 lakh on Air India for violating the rules related to flight duty time regulations (FDTL) and uneven fatigue management system (FMS).

This action came into the limelight after a January audit that revealed several violations, including insufficient weekly rest periods for crew, and inadequate rest before and after extra-long-range flights during layovers. The audit also unleashes some instances related to pilots exceeding duty periods, which were incorrectly marked in the training records. These violations are poised to pose serious risks to flight safety and passenger well-being.

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Some brief analysis of reports and evidence showed that Air India Limited had sometimes made to operate flights with flight crew members, aged above 60 years flying together in some instances, which itself is a violation of Sub Rule (2) of Rule 28 A of the Aircraft Rules, 1937.

 According to the aviation regulator, the operator was also found lacking to provide adequate weekly rest, adequate rest before & after ultra-long range (ULR) flights, and adequate rest on layover to flight crew, which violates the extant provisions of the Civil Aviation Requirements of FDTL.

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