DGCA fines ₹80 lakh on Air India: Airline didn’t present sufficient relaxation to crew, additionally wrongly marked coaching data

Air India is an airline of Tata Group.

The Directorate Basic of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has imposed a effective of Rs 80 lakh on Air India. This effective has been imposed for violation of guidelines associated to Flight Responsibility Time Limitations (FDTL) and Fatigue Administration System (FMS).

DGCA had performed a spot audit of Air India within the month of January for compliance with FDTL and FMS guidelines to make sure excessive degree of security. In the course of the audit, DGCA discovered that the corporate operated flights in violation of guidelines.

Operated flights with each flight crew over 60 years of age
The DGCA stated evaluation of reviews and proof revealed that Air India in some instances operated flights with each flight crew above 60 years of age, which violates sub-rule (2) of Rule 28A of the Plane Guidelines, 1937. There’s a violation.

Crew not given sufficient relaxation, coaching data additionally marked wrongly
Sufficient weekly relaxation, sufficient relaxation earlier than and after ultra-long vary (ULR) flights and offering sufficient relaxation to flight crew on layovers have been additionally discovered to be missing. Aside from this, instances of wrongly marked coaching data and so on. have been additionally noticed.

Tremendous imposed after reply to indicate trigger discover
DGCA stated a present trigger discover was issued to Air India to file its reply on March 1, 2024. The aviation regulator discovered its response unsatisfactory.

A effective of Rs 1.10 crore was imposed in January additionally
Earlier in January additionally, DGCA had imposed a effective of Rs 1.10 crore on Air India for safety violations. This effective was imposed after a deficiency was discovered within the ’12 Minute Chemical Passenger Oxygen System’.

There are oxygen masks above the seats for each passenger on the flight. These come down to be used in case of emergency.

Motion was taken on the criticism of an airline worker
DGCA had obtained a criticism from an airline worker in October. It was informed that security guidelines are being violated within the flights operated by Air India between Mumbai/Bengaluru-San Francisco utilizing Boeing B777 plane. It was additionally informed within the criticism that that is taking place since November 2022.

Based mostly on the criticism, the aviation regulator inspected the ’12 Minute Chemical Passenger Oxygen System’ of Air India planes. Oxygen programs can produce oxygen for about 12-Quarter-hour within the plane. In case of emergency, pilots can convey the aircraft to a decrease altitude on this time, the place further oxygen shouldn’t be required.