India's aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has issued a stern warning to Air India following the discovery of "repeated and serious violations" in its pilot scheduling practices. The regulatory body’s findings highlight systemic failures in the airline's crew management, prompting decisive action to remove key executives from their roles and intensifying scrutiny in the wake of a recent tragic crash.
The DGCA's order, dated June 20, 2025, mandates the immediate removal of three senior Air India officials from all responsibilities related to crew scheduling. These officials include a divisional vice president, a chief manager of crew scheduling, and a planning executive. The watchdog criticized the airline for failing to impose strict disciplinary measures against those directly responsible, despite the airline voluntarily disclosing the violations.
The breaches came to light during a review following Air India’s transition between two different crew scheduling software systems last year. The regulator's report specifically pointed to lapses in pilot licensing, rest periods, and recency requirements — the latter referring to pilots needing to have recently completed takeoffs, landings, or simulator sessions to maintain their operational validity.
Two flights operating between Bengaluru and London on May 16 and 17, 2025, were found to have exceeded the regulatory flight time limit of 10 hours for pilots, a clear violation of safety protocols. The DGCA described these incidents as not isolated errors but manifestations of systemic failures in scheduling protocols and internal oversight.
In response, the DGCA ordered Air India to initiate disciplinary proceedings against the removed officials within ten days and warned that any future violations would invite strict enforcement actions, including penalties, license suspensions, or even withdrawal of operating permissions.
Air India has complied with the DGCA’s directives. The airline announced that, in the interim, its Chief Operations Officer will assume direct oversight of the Integrated Operations Control Centre (IOCC), the central hub responsible for coordinating crew scheduling, maintenance, and flight operations. An Air India spokesperson emphasized the company’s commitment to "total adherence to safety protocols and standard practices." However, the airline has not disclosed further details about the disciplinary actions or the corrective reforms planned.
This regulatory intervention comes amid heightened scrutiny of Air India following the catastrophic crash of its Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner on June 12, 2025. The London-bound flight, AI 171, crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport in western India, killing 241 of the 242 people on board and at least 29 individuals on the ground. The sole survivor, seated in 11A, escaped with only superficial injuries. Investigations into the crash are ongoing, with experts from India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau working alongside US, UK, and Boeing officials.
While the DGCA clarified that the pilot scheduling violations are unrelated to the crash, the airline is facing intensified oversight. In the week following the disaster, dozens of Air India flights were delayed, diverted, or canceled as the regulator conducted safety checks. On June 19, 2025, the DGCA also issued a warning after discovering that three Airbus aircraft operated by Air India had flown despite overdue inspections of emergency escape slide equipment, a critical safety component.
In an effort to stabilize operations and restore passenger confidence, Air India announced a temporary reduction in its international flight schedule. Between June 21 and July 15, 2025, the airline will suspend flights to three overseas destinations and cut services on 16 international routes. Wide-body flight operations will be reduced by 15 percent during this period to improve schedule reliability and minimize last-minute disruptions.
Air India has also begun releasing interim financial support to the families affected by the June 12 crash. The airline announced an interim payment of INR 2.5 million (approximately $29,000) to each family of the deceased and to the sole survivor. This compensation is separate from the INR 10 million (around $116,000) support already pledged by Tata Sons, Air India’s parent company since its 2022 acquisition. A centralized help desk, established on June 15, is managing the compensation process to streamline claims and assist families through the complex procedures.
The airline’s safety record has been under the spotlight for some time. According to data presented to the Indian parliament in February 2025, Air India and its subsidiary Air India Express accounted for 12 of the 23 warnings or penalties issued to Indian airlines over the past year. Among these, the largest fine of $127,000 was imposed on Air India for operating international flights with insufficient onboard oxygen supplies.
Since Tata Sons took over Air India in 2022, the airline has embarked on an ambitious modernization program. This includes placing orders for hundreds of new aircraft valued at over $70 billion, updating its livery, integrating Tata’s other airline ventures, and investing heavily in upgrading older planes and digital systems. However, the recent regulatory rebukes underscore the challenges the airline faces in overhauling its safety culture and operational practices.
The DGCA’s firm stance signals a broader push to enforce aviation safety standards more rigorously in India’s rapidly growing air travel market. The regulator’s insistence on accountability and systemic reform at Air India sends a clear message to the industry that lapses in safety protocols will not be tolerated.
As Air India navigates this critical juncture, the airline’s ability to implement lasting reforms and regain public trust will be closely watched. The tragic crash has already shaken confidence, and the revelations about pilot scheduling violations add to the urgency for comprehensive change. With the DGCA’s oversight intensifying and the airline’s international schedule temporarily curtailed, the coming months will be pivotal for Air India’s future in India’s competitive aviation landscape.
