NEW DELHI, The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has imposed a ₹1 crore penalty on Air India today.

The fine addresses a critical safety lapse involving an Airbus A320neo aircraft operating without a valid Airworthiness Review Certificate (ARC).

This violation occurred on eight separate revenue flights between November 24 and 25, 2025.

Regulatory sources confirmed that the airline failed to renew the mandatory safety permit before deploying the aircraft.

The aviation watchdog’s investigation exposed deep procedural cracks within the Tata Group-owned carrier’s engineering department.

An official order directed the immediate removal of specific engineering post-holders responsible for the oversight. The DGCA termed the incident a “serious lapse” that eroded public confidence in the airline’s safety protocols.

The specific aircraft, registered as VT-TQN, flew passengers across major hubs including Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Hyderabad.

These operations took place despite the expiration of its airworthiness certificate, a document non-negotiable for commercial flight.

Air India voluntarily reported the error on November 26, 2025, but regulators deemed the delay unacceptable.

 ACCOUNTABILITY AND INTERNAL ANOMALIES

The penalty order specifically holds Air India’s Accountable Manager liable for the operational breach.

DGCA officials noted that the lapse indicates a casual approach toward critical compliance requirements.”The airline failed to ensure the aircraft possessed a valid ARC before releasing it for service,” a source stated.

This certificate validates that an aircraft adheres to all maintenance and safety standards required for safe operation.

The airline’s internal audit later admitted to “systemic failures” in its monitoring of regulatory document validity.Experts warn that such administrative gaps often point to deeper issues in safety culture and resource management.

 AIRLINE ACKNOWLEDGES COMPLIANCE GAPS

Air India released a statement accepting the regulatory action and confirming the payment of the penalty.

A spokesperson said the airline has since addressed all identified gaps in its engineering and tracking systems.

“We reported this voluntarily and have taken corrective measures to prevent recurrence,” the airline’s statement read.

However, the regulator maintained that self-reporting does not absolve the carrier of its primary safety obligations.

The DGCA has now mandated a comprehensive review of the airline’s software used for tracking aircraft certification.

This enforcement action follows a series of recent regulatory interventions targeting the national carrier.

In 2025, the DGCA flagged similar issues regarding the unchecked status of emergency escape slides on wide-body jets.

The regulator is currently conducting heightened surveillance on all carriers following last year’s sector-wide safety audit.

Market analysts suggest this fine serves as a stern warning to all operators regarding document compliance.Operating an aircraft without a valid ARC technically renders the flight illegal and uninsured.

The regulator emphasized that passenger safety cannot be compromised for operational convenience or administrative oversight.

The ₹1 crore fine represents one of the stiffest financial penalties levied for a documentation-related violation.

Industry observers believe this will force a rigorous overhaul of Air India’s Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation (CAMO).

The airline is currently in the midst of a massive fleet modernization program involving hundreds of new jets.

Ensuring regulatory compliance for such a rapidly expanding fleet remains a significant operational challenge.

The DGCA has warned that future violations of this nature could attract even harsher punitive measures.