DGCA fines Air India Rs 1 crore for A320 neo lapse; here’s what went wrong

Mumbai: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has imposed a Rs 1 crore fine on Tata Group-owned Air India after the airline operated an Airbus A320 neo aircraft without a valid airworthiness review certificate (ARC) on at least eight routes in 2025.

The incident was voluntarily reported by Air India on November 26, 2025. The airline informed the DGCA that the A320 had flown with an expired ARC, a certificate issued annually to validate an aircraft’s compliance with all maintenance and airworthiness standards following detailed inspections and review of maintenance records.

“Air India acknowledges the receipt of a DGCA order in relation to an incident that was voluntarily reported back in 2025. All identified gaps have since been satisfactorily addressed and shared with the authority,” the airline said in a statement, emphasising its commitment to operational integrity and safety.

Under current regulations, Air India has delegated authority to issue the ARC internally. However, the oversight in operating flights without a valid certificate prompted the DGCA to levy the penalty. The regulator confirmed that the lapse occurred on at least eight revenue flights last year.

Air India has previously faced regulatory scrutiny for compliance lapses, highlighting the importance of adherence to aviation safety norms. The airline has addressed all identified gaps and shared corrective measures with the DGCA, reaffirming its commitment to maintaining the highest operational and safety standards.

This incident underscores the critical role of regulatory oversight in ensuring airline safety and the need for strict compliance with airworthiness requirements in India’s aviation sector.
(With IANS,PTI inputs)