Amid growing technical lapses in the aviation sector, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has warned Air India, cautioning the airline over violations of flight time regulations. In its letter dated August 11, AI management has been advised to exercise utmost diligence and comply with aviation safety requirements. The warning comes after the DGCA discovered that two of its London-bound flights from Bangalore surpassed the permissible 10-hour duty time limit in May.
During a spot check, the regulator found that the airline, on May 16 and 17, 2025, operated two Bangalore-London flights (AI133) exceeding the stipulated maximum flight time of 10 hours, prescribed under “Para 6.1.3 of the Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) Section 7, Series J, Part III, Issue III dated April 24, 2019.”
According to the aviation regulator, the airline failed to present a satisfactory clarification for its regulatory lapses regarding the extended flight durations. It further noted that Air India’s Accountable Manager did not comply with key operational provisions, as outlined in Annexure III of the Civil Aviation Requirements (CARs).
The letter states, “Whereas, it has further been noted that the Accountable Manager of M/s Air India Ltd. has failed to ensure compliance with the requirements as specified under Para 1 and Para 2.4 of Annexure III of the CARs, Section 3, Series C, Part II.”
The DGCA further mentioned, “In view of the above, a Show Cause Notice was issued to Air India on 20 June 2025 under the relevant provisions of the Enforcement Policy and Procedures Manual (EPPM) for the aforementioned violations.”
“The reply submitted by Air India in response to the Show Cause Notice has been duly examined and found to be unsatisfactory in addressing the regulatory lapses and deficiencies noted. Accordingly, the Accountable Manager of M/s Air India Ltd. is hereby warned and advised to exercise utmost diligence and responsibility in ensuring strict compliance with the applicable Civil Aviation requirements,” the letter added.
Responding to the DGCA warning letter, an Air India spokesperson, in a statement, said, “Air India is in receipt of the DGCA letter with regard to rostering issues on two long-haul flights reported in mid-May that arose due to a different interpretation of a permission that was granted to mitigate the border related airspace closure. This was corrected immediately after the right interpretation was conveyed to us. Air India remains fully compliant with the rules.”
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