DGCA Penalizes Air India Over Uncertified Airbus Flights

India’s aviation watchdog, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has slapped a heavy fine of Rs. 1 crore on Tata Group-owned Air India. According to reports, the Airbus A320 was found to be operating without a valid airworthiness permit.

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The safety violation occurred over two days, 24 and 25 November. During this time, the plane operated eight commercial flights across major Indian cities. This incident adds to recent scrutiny of the airline’s safety protocols and internal compliance culture.

A ‘Systemic Failure’ in the Cockpit and Cabin

The Airbus A320 flew on multiple routes and connected passengers between New Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Hyderabad. However, the aircraft was flown without the mandatory Airworthiness Review Certificate (ARC). The DGCA issues this certificate annually after checking a plane for safety. 

A confidential order showed the regulator’s frustration with the lapse. The order stated the episode had "further eroded public confidence and adversely impacted the safety compliance of the organisation," as reported by Reuters.

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Furthermore, an internal investigation by Air India acknowledged ‘systemic failures’ in document oversight. The penalty order also highlighted that the pilots operating these specific flights failed to follow standard operating procedures by not verifying the aircraft's documents before departure.

Could Flying Without Airworthiness Certification Void Passenger Insurance?

The immediate consequence is a huge fine for the airline. However, a big question remains about passenger protection on those flights. An aircraft without a valid Certificate of Airworthiness has a questionable legal status. This directly affects insurance coverage.

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Generally, aviation insurance policies require planes to follow all safety rules. Flying without a valid ARC could break the contract with insurers. This could complicate claims if an accident had occurred. Passengers are often unaware whether their insurance covers them in such cases. Air India said it reported the issue voluntarily and that they have addressed the ‘identified gaps’ in their compliance procedures.

The airline has taken steps to fix the gaps. However, recurring safety warnings suggest deeper structural problems. For the industry, this is a stern reminder, as passenger safety is non-negotiable. Digitalizing document management is essential to prevent such manual errors in the future.