DGCA ordered Air India to remove the three officials from all roles and responsibilities. File
| Photo Credit: Vivek Bendre
The DGCA on Saturday (June 21, 2025) directed Air India to remove three officials, including a top executive part of flight operations department, from their roles and responsibilities for “systemic failure in crew scheduling, compliance monitoring and internal accountability”, according to multiple sources.
The DGCA order, a copy of which has been reviewed by The Hindu, stated that internal disciplinary proceedings must be initiated against these officials without delay. An official confirmation from the DGCA is awaited.
The order stated that there were “multiple violations concerning flight crew being scheduled and operated despite lapses in licensing, rest, and recency requirements.” The findings were revealed during a review after the airline changed its crew scheduling software. It is learnt that the software change happened last year in May.
One of the key officials against whom the DGCA has asked for a disciplinary action is the Divisional Vice President of Integrated Operations Control Centre (IOCC). An IOCC is essentially the “nerve centre” of an airline, responsible for coordinating and managing various operational aspects to ensure safe, efficient, and legally compliant flights. It falls under the Operations department of an airline that oversees all flight operations and pilots and cabin crew, including their rosters.
“We acknowledge the regulator’s directive and have implemented the order. In the interim, the company’s Chief Operations Officer will provide direct oversight to the Integrated Operations Control Centre (IOCC). Air India is committed to ensuring that there is total adherence to safety protocols and standard practices,” an Air India spokesperson said.
The DGCA also warned Air India that future violations in crew scheduling will invite “strict action”, including licence suspension and operational restrictions.
The latest direction from DGCA has come at a time when the airline has been under strict scrutiny in the aftermath of the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crash last week.
Published – June 21, 2025 01:05 pm IST
