Nine show cause notices issued to Air India over safety violations in six months: MoS Civil Aviation

Air India has come under regulatory scrutiny over multiple safety-related lapses in the past six months, with nine show cause notices issued to the airline by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). These notices pertain to five separate safety violations; Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol informed the Rajya Sabha.

Responding to a written question in the Upper House, the Minister confirmed that enforcement action has been completed in one case, while the remaining four violations are still under examination.

Mohol was responding to questions regarding whether any notices or warnings were issued to Air India related to airworthiness, periodic maintenance lapses, operational shortcomings, or crew-related issues. He did not elaborate on the nature of the specific violations but acknowledged that regulatory processes were actively being followed.

On the more sensitive matter of the June 12 Air India crash in Ahmedabad, Minister Mohol referenced the preliminary report issued by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on July 12. He stated that no adverse trend was observed in Air India’s operational reliability in the six months preceding the incident.

In response to questions on the progress of the investigation, Minister Mohol reiterated that the AAIB was following an objective, rule-based investigative process. “There are multiple theories floating, but we must respect the process of investigation,” he told the Rajya Sabha during the Monsoon Session.

“The AAIB has successfully decoded the black box data of the Air India aircraft that crashed last month. We are committed to finding out what exactly happened, and that will be revealed only in the final report,” he said.

He added that the ministry and the regulator are “standing with the truth, not anything else.”

Mohol also addressed concerns over selective and unverified reporting, particularly from certain international media outlets that have speculated on the crash’s cause before the official findings.

The AAIB had also released a public appeal cautioning against misinformation and urging all parties to allow the investigation to conclude without external interference.

As India’s civil aviation sector rapidly expands, the safety performance and regulatory oversight of key players like Air India are coming under increasing scrutiny. The outcome of the AAIB’s final report and the DGCA’s pending investigations will be critical in shaping future safety protocols and restoring public confidence in the country’s aviation system.