Air India Sanctioned Over Crew Scheduling Violations

India’s civil aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has imposed sanctions on Air India following serious violations of crew duty time regulations. The airline was found to have repeatedly breached safety rules involving flight crew scheduling, prompting immediate disciplinary action.

Following a voluntary disclosure by Air India, the DGCA uncovered that long-haul flights between Bengaluru and London on May 16 and 17, 2025, exceeded the mandated ten-hour flight duty limit. These violations are seen as critical, with fatigue prevention at the core of aviation safety protocols.

As a result, three senior officials have been removed from the airline’s crew scheduling department. The DGCA directed Air India to remove Divisional Vice President Choorah Singh, Chief Manager Pinky Mittal, and crew planner Payal Arora. All three are to be reassigned to non-operational roles and barred from any position affecting flight safety pending internal investigation.

The crackdown follows the recent crash of Air India Flight AI1171, which claimed 270 lives, further intensifying scrutiny on safety procedures at the airline.

The DGCA has issued a clear warning that future violations related to crew scheduling, licensing, or duty time limits will trigger stricter penalties, including fines, license suspension, or withdrawal of Air India’s operating permits.

In a statement, Air India acknowledged the violations and affirmed its commitment to safety, noting that the mandated corrective measures are already underway. The airline said it is cooperating fully with the regulator to ensure compliance going forward.

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