India's DGCA fines Air India USD 110,350 over airworthiness lapse involving Airbus A320

Dhaka: India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has fined Air India USD 110,350 for operating an Airbus aircraft eight times without a valid airworthiness permit, according to a confidential regulatory order issued on February 5.

The aircraft in question, an Airbus A320, operated passenger flights between New Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Hyderabad on November 24 and November 25, 2025, without the mandatory Airworthiness Review Certificate (ARC). The ARC is issued annually after a jet passes required safety and compliance checks.

The order, addressed to Air India CEO Campbell Wilson, said the lapse had “further eroded public confidence and adversely impacted the safety compliance of the organization.” It added that the accountable manager on behalf of the airline was found blameworthy.

Air India had voluntarily reported the matter to authorities last year. In a statement, the airline said it acknowledged the regulatory action and confirmed that all identified gaps had been addressed and shared with the regulator.

An internal investigation by the carrier cited “systemic failures” and highlighted an urgent need to strengthen its compliance culture. The probe also faulted the pilots involved, stating they did not follow standard operating procedures before departure.

The airline has been instructed to deposit the fine within 30 days of the order.

Air India, owned by Tata Group and Singapore Airlines, has faced increased regulatory scrutiny in recent months. The DGCA previously issued warnings to the carrier over operating aircraft without proper emergency equipment checks and other audit-related lapses.

The latest penalty adds to mounting challenges for the airline as it works to restore operational reliability and rebuild passenger confidence.