DGCA Orders Air India to Remove Officials Over Crew Scheduling Violations

Key Takeaways

• On June 20, 2025, DGCA ordered Air India to remove three officials for serious crew scheduling violations.
• Air India’s flights AI133 exceeded maximum duty time, risking crew fatigue and safety failures.
• DGCA demands disciplinary action, increased oversight, and reports within 10 days from Air India.

On June 20, 2025, India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) took decisive action against Air India, the country’s national carrier, by ordering the immediate removal of three senior officials responsible for crew scheduling. This move follows a series of serious and repeated violations in how Air India managed its flight crews, raising urgent questions about safety, compliance, and accountability within the airline. The DGCA’s directive, which is effective immediately, marks a critical moment for Air India and the broader Indian aviation sector, especially in the wake of a recent fatal crash that has put airline safety under intense scrutiny.

What Happened: The DGCA’s Directive and Air India’s Response

The DGCA’s order, issued on June 20, 2025, required Air India to remove three key officials from all responsibilities related to crew scheduling and rostering. These officials include a divisional vice president, the chief manager of crew scheduling, and a planning executive. The regulator’s investigation found that Air India had committed “serious and repeated lapses” in its crew scheduling processes. These included:

• Unauthorized and non-compliant crew pairings
• Violations of mandatory licensing and recency norms
• Systemic failures in scheduling protocol and oversight

Air India quickly acknowledged the DGCA’s directive and confirmed that it had removed the officials from their roles. The airline’s Chief Operations Officer has now taken direct control of the Integrated Operations Control Centre (IOCC), which oversees all flight operations and crew assignments. This change is meant to ensure that all scheduling and safety protocols are strictly followed during this interim period.

The DGCA also instructed Air India to start internal disciplinary proceedings against the three officials and to report back on the actions taken within 10 days. In addition, the regulator issued a show cause notice to Air India’s Accountable Manager, demanding an explanation within seven days for specific violations, including two flights that exceeded the maximum allowed flight duty time.

Why the Action Was Taken: Safety and Compliance Failures

The DGCA’s intervention was prompted by a series of events that exposed deep problems in Air India’s crew scheduling system. The most serious issues included:

• Crew being scheduled and operated despite lapses in licensing, rest, and recency requirements
• Flights exceeding the maximum allowed duty time for crew members
• Lack of proper oversight and accountability in the scheduling process

According to the DGCA, these failures were not isolated incidents but pointed to “systemic failures in crew scheduling, compliance monitoring, and internal accountability.” The regulator’s audit of Air India’s IOCC found that the airline had repeatedly violated rules designed to ensure that pilots and cabin crew are properly rested, licensed, and qualified to operate flights safely.

One of the most concerning findings involved two Air India flights—AI133 from Bengaluru to London Heathrow on May 16 and May 17, 2025—that both exceeded the maximum allowed flight duty time of 10 hours. Such violations can lead to crew fatigue, which is a major safety risk for both passengers and crew.

The Recent Crash: Heightened Scrutiny After Tragedy

The DGCA’s action comes just days after a tragic crash involving Air India flight AI-171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025. The crash killed all but one of the 242 people on board and at least 29 people on the ground. While the causes of the crash are still under investigation, the incident has intensified scrutiny of Air India’s safety practices and operational standards.

Aviation safety experts have long warned that failures in crew scheduling—such as allowing overworked or improperly licensed crew to operate flights—can have deadly consequences. The recent crash has made it clear that strict adherence to safety protocols is not just a regulatory requirement but a matter of life and death.

How the Violations Were Discovered: System Upgrades and Audits

The problems in Air India’s crew scheduling system came to light during a post-transition review from the airline’s previous Air Route Management System (ARMS) to a new CAE Flight and Crew Management System. This transition was supposed to improve efficiency and compliance, but it also revealed lapses in how the airline was meeting licensing, rest, and recency requirements for its crew.

The DGCA conducted an audit of Air India’s IOCC, which uncovered repeated violations and systemic failures. The regulator’s findings were so serious that it decided immediate action was necessary to protect passenger safety and restore confidence in the airline’s operations.

What Happens Next: Disciplinary Action and Increased Oversight

Following the DGCA’s directive, Air India has started internal disciplinary proceedings against the three removed officials. The airline must report back to the DGCA within 10 days on the steps it has taken. The Chief Operations Officer is now directly overseeing the IOCC to ensure that all scheduling and safety protocols are followed.

The DGCA has made it clear that any future violations in crew scheduling will result in strict action, including possible suspension of Air India’s operating license or other operational restrictions. The regulator has also demanded a detailed explanation from Air India’s Accountable Manager regarding the recent violations, especially the two flights that exceeded the allowed duty time.

Broader Implications: What This Means for Air India and the Aviation Industry

For Air India

• Immediate Impact: The removal of key officials and the start of disciplinary proceedings signal a major shake-up in how Air India manages its crew scheduling.
• Operational Oversight: Direct supervision by the Chief Operations Officer is intended to restore order and ensure compliance with all safety protocols.
• Internal Review: Air India is now required to review and strengthen its crew scheduling, compliance monitoring, and internal accountability mechanisms.

For the Aviation Industry

• Industry-Wide Warning: The DGCA’s action sends a clear message to all airlines operating in India that violations of crew duty time, licensing, and rostering regulations will not be tolerated.
• Potential Reforms: The incident may prompt broader reforms in crew scheduling and compliance monitoring across the Indian aviation sector.
• Increased Regulatory Scrutiny: Other airlines can expect more frequent audits and stricter oversight from the DGCA.

For Passengers and the Public

• Safety Assurance: Passengers are likely to be concerned about safety lapses and will be looking for assurance that airlines are following all required protocols.
• Transparency and Accountability: The public will expect Air India and other airlines to be transparent about any violations and to hold responsible officials accountable.

For Aviation Unions and Crew Members

• Changes in Scheduling Protocols: Pilots and cabin crew may see changes in how their schedules are managed, with increased scrutiny of rostering practices.
• Focus on Rest and Licensing: There will be a renewed emphasis on ensuring that all crew members meet rest and licensing requirements before being assigned to flights.

Step-by-Step: How the DGCA’s Action Unfolded

1. DGCA Audit: The regulator audited Air India’s IOCC and found repeated violations in crew scheduling.
2. Issuance of Directive: On June 20, 2025, the DGCA formally ordered Air India to remove three officials from all crew scheduling roles and to start disciplinary proceedings.
3. Air India Compliance: Air India acknowledged the directive, removed the officials, and assigned the Chief Operations Officer to oversee IOCC operations.
4. Show Cause Notice: The DGCA issued a show cause notice to Air India’s Accountable Manager, requiring a response within seven days regarding specific flight duty time violations.
5. Reporting: Air India must report to the DGCA on the disciplinary actions taken within 10 days.
6. Ongoing Monitoring: The DGCA will continue to monitor Air India’s compliance and may impose further penalties for future violations.

Expert Perspectives: Why Crew Scheduling Matters

Aviation safety experts stress that proper crew scheduling is essential for safe flight operations. When airlines fail to follow rules about crew rest, licensing, and recency, they put both crew and passengers at risk. Fatigued or improperly qualified crew members are more likely to make mistakes, which can lead to accidents.

Regulatory analysts note that the DGCA’s swift and public intervention reflects a zero-tolerance approach to safety violations, especially after the recent crash. This action is likely to lead to broader changes in how airlines manage crew scheduling and compliance.

Industry observers point out that while Air India’s voluntary disclosure of violations is a positive step, the lack of prior disciplinary action against responsible officials raised concerns about internal accountability. The DGCA’s directive is seen as a necessary move to restore trust in the airline’s operations.

Background: Air India’s Crew Scheduling Challenges

Air India’s crew scheduling violations were discovered during the transition from the ARMS system to the new CAE Flight and Crew Management System. This change was meant to improve how the airline manages its flight and crew assignments, but it also exposed gaps in compliance with important safety rules.

The recent crash of flight AI-171 has only increased the pressure on Air India to fix these problems quickly. The airline is now under intense scrutiny from both regulators and the public, and it must show that it is taking all necessary steps to ensure safety.

What’s Next: Future Outlook for Air India and Indian Aviation

Looking ahead, the DGCA is expected to maintain strict monitoring of Air India and possibly other carriers. Further audits and compliance checks are likely, and the regulator may introduce new rules to strengthen crew scheduling and accountability.

Air India is expected to:

• Strengthen internal controls and oversight
• Improve training for staff involved in crew scheduling
• Increase transparency and reporting to regulators

The ongoing investigation into the June 12 crash may also lead to additional findings and recommendations that could affect both Air India and the wider industry.

Official Resources and Where to Get More Information

For readers seeking more details or wishing to follow official updates, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation provides authoritative information on aviation regulations and safety standards. You can visit the DGCA’s official website for the latest directives, safety guidelines, and contact information.

Air India also maintains a customer care portal and publishes updates on its official website.

Summary Table: Key Details of DGCA’s Action Against Air India

Takeaways and Practical Guidance

• For Passengers: If you have concerns about flight safety or crew scheduling, you can contact Air India’s customer care or the DGCA directly.
• For Airline Staff: Stay updated on new scheduling protocols and ensure all licensing and rest requirements are met before accepting flight assignments.
• For Industry Stakeholders: Monitor DGCA directives closely, as more reforms and stricter enforcement are likely in the coming months.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, the DGCA’s action against Air India is a clear signal that safety and compliance cannot be compromised. The regulator’s swift response, combined with Air India’s cooperation, shows a commitment to restoring public trust and ensuring that all airlines operating in India meet the highest standards of safety and accountability.

For ongoing updates and official information, always refer to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, which remains the primary authority on aviation safety and regulatory compliance in India.

Learn Today

DGCA → India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation regulating safety and compliance in civil aviation operations.
Crew Scheduling → The process of assigning flight and cabin crew to flights following safety and regulatory rules.
Flight Duty Time → Maximum allowable hours crew members can operate before requiring rest to prevent fatigue.
IOCC → Integrated Operations Control Centre overseeing flight operations and crew assignments in an airline.
Show Cause Notice → A formal regulatory demand asking an official or organization to explain alleged violations.

This Article in a Nutshell

The DGCA swiftly removed three Air India crew scheduling chiefs on June 20, 2025, after uncovering repeated serious violations risking passenger safety amid intense scrutiny following a recent fatal crash.
— By VisaVerge.com