Air India Faces Regulatory Investigation

Summary of Air India Airworthiness Incident

Regulatory Actions

• Air India officials have been de-rostered pending an investigation by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
• The DGCA has instructed Air India to ground the aircraft involved, an Airbus A320 (VT-TQN), which operated with an expired Airworthiness Review Certificate (ARC).
• The expired ARC is categorized as a serious safety lapse.

Incident Details

• The aircraft conducted eight commercial flights on an expired ARC before Air India voluntarily disclosed the issue to the DGCA on November 26, 2025.
• The aircraft had been grounded prior to this disclosure and last operated a valid flight on October 24, 2025.
• After maintenance, the aircraft was released for service despite the expiration of its ARC during the engine change period.

Airworthiness Review Certificate (ARC)

• Issued annually following a comprehensive maintenance review.
• Validates the aircraft's compliance with airworthiness standards.
• Post-merger of Vistara into Air India, the DGCA was mandated to conduct interviews for all 70 Vistara aircraft rather than Air India.

Air India’s Response

• Air India expressed regret for the incident and suspended all personnel involved.
• The airline is conducting its own internal investigation to identify and rectify deficiencies in its operational systems.
• Air India has emphasized its commitment to operational integrity and safety, treating compliance deviations seriously.

Background Context

• The airline's operational transparency increased following the tragic accident of Air India flight AI 171 in Ahmedabad on June 12.
• Air India has adopted a strategy of thorough reporting of incidents to rebuild trust with the public and regulators.

Economic and Operational Context

• Air India operates over 1,200 flights daily, leading to higher scrutiny and increased incident reporting as part of its transparency initiative.
• Continued enhancements in operational safety and compliance are imperative for Air India to maintain regulatory standards and public trust.

Important Points:

• DGCA: Key aviation regulatory authority in India.
• Airworthiness Review Certificate (ARC): Critical for ensuring the safety and airworthiness of aircraft.
• Safety Compliance: Regulatory compliance is non-negotiable in aviation; lapses can lead to serious consequences.
• Internal investigations and de-rostering actions reflect the airline's recognition of the gravity of the situation.

Overall, the incident underscores the importance of adherence to safety protocols within the aviation industry, as well as the accountability of airline personnel in maintaining operational standards.