Air India Under The Scanner; DGCA Takes Action Against Airline Over Delayed Emergency Slide Inspection

The aviation regulator, the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has now taken action against Air India after an investigation revealed that the inspection of an emergency slide on one of its aircraft was overdue. The aircraft will remain grounded until the rectification is complete. The regulatory body initiated this action during the Rajya Sabha session on Monday. 

DGCA Takes Action Against Air India

Air India is once again under scrutiny after an inspection on one of its aircraft’s emergency slides was found overdue. The Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the aviation regulator, has now initiated action against the airline. As per a report by India Today, Union Minister Murlidhar Mohol informed the Rajya Sabha about the issue on Monday, July 28.

DGCA reportedly grounded the aircraft in question immediately and will keep it so until the required rectification is complete. Moreover, along with taking action against the airline, the aviation body has also initiated enforcement action against the responsible personnel as per the enforcement policy and procedure manual of the DGCA.

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Airline Under The Scanner After The Tragic June Crash

However, other details like the date of the audit and when the enforcement action was initiated remain undisclosed. The minister’s response was reportedly in reply to DMK member Tiruchi Siva’s query on whether the government was aware that aircraft operated by Air India were allowed to fly with overdue emergency slide inspections in the weeks preceding the tragic crash of AI 171 in June.

These overdue emergency slide inspections not only violate mandatory safety norms but also put the lives of passengers at risk. As per a report by India Today, the member also questioned whether DGCA is taking accountability for the regulatory oversight failure.

Moreover, Air India has come under scrutiny in recent days for various lapses. On June 12, Air India’s Boeing 787 aircraft operating flight AI 171 crashed moments after takeoff. It was en route to London from Ahmedabad. The tragic crash claimed over 200 lives. 

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However, the DGCA has ensured compliance by airlines with all safety and maintenance standards through mechanisms such as surveillance, spot checks, night surveillance, and checks on its personnel. The authorities have also promised that in the event of a violation, the DGCA can take enforcement action, which may include warnings, suspension, cancellation, or even the imposition of financial penalties on the airline.

We now await further details on this latest development with Air India.

Cover Image Courtesy: Air India, Wikipedia/ aeroprints