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An Air India jet flew eight times with an expired safety certificate and no one noticed for two days. Now the DGCA is probing how a grounded aircraft was cleared to fly, suspending staff and raising deeper questions about the airline’s oversight.
All staff members involved in clearing the aircraft for service have been suspended
New Delhi: Air India has come under sharp regulatory scrutiny after one of its Airbus A320 aircraft operated eight commercial flights despite an expired airworthiness review certificate (ARC). The lapse, which remained undetected for nearly two days, has triggered an inquiry by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and led to the suspension of all personnel involved in clearing the aircraft for service.
The 164-seater A320 flew on November 24 and 25 before an engineer noticed missing documentation during a routine inspection. Only then did the airline discover that the ARC a mandatory certificate confirming an aircraft’s fitness to fly had expired. It subsequently informed the DGCA on November 26.
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The ARC is renewed annually and flying without one is considered a major safety violation. Such breaches can attract heavy penalties and even action against senior officials of the operating airline.
Terming the incident a “serious breach of safety protocol,” the DGCA has initiated a detailed investigation. According to the regulator, Air India issues ARCs under delegated authority, but as part of the ongoing merger with Vistara, it was decided that the DGCA would handle the renewal of ARCs for all 70 Vistara aircraft in 2024.
The DGCA said 69 of the 70 aircraft had received renewed ARCs after satisfactory compliance. The 70th aircraft, however, was grounded for an engine change after the airline applied for renewal. During this maintenance period, the ARC expired but the aircraft was still released for operations, leading to the violation.
In a statement, Air India acknowledged the lapse, confirming that it had suspended personnel associated with the decision and initiated a comprehensive internal investigation. The airline said it is cooperating fully with the DGCA.
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The violation is expected to be classified as a Level 1 safety breach, among the most serious under DGCA norms. The episode adds to recent concerns about operational and compliance gaps at Air India, which is undergoing a large-scale transformation under new ownership.
Aviation experts note that flying an aircraft with an expired ARC can raise red flags with aircraft lessors and may even jeopardize insurance coverage. While the DGCA conducts periodic audits and surprise inspections, the primary responsibility for maintaining airworthiness lies with the operator.
The investigation is ongoing, and the regulator is expected to determine accountability and potential penalties in the coming weeks.
