The aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on January 24 imposed a ₹1.10 crore penalty on domestic carrier Air India over safety violations in flights operated on certain long routes.
However, an Air India spokesperson said, "We disagree with the order issued by the DGCA. The issues raised were thoroughly examined by Air India along with external experts concluding that there was no compromise on safety, whatsoever. We are studying the order in detail and will review the options available to us including our right to appeal as well as taking it up with the regulator."
In its release, the regulator said it received a voluntary safety report from an airline employee alleging safety violations of flights operated by Air India on certain long range terrain critical routes. Following which, the DGCA examined stipulations as per statutory provisions and performance limits stipulated in critical documentations by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).
Air India's operations of the leased aircraft were not in line with regulatory/ OEM performance limits, the regulator pointed out, and said that it has initiated an enforcement action against the airline.
Since the investigation prima facie revealed non-compliance by the airline, DGCA said a show cause notice was issued to Air India. The safety report pertained to leased aircraft operated by Air India.
Though DGCA has not mentioned any specific details about what led to the probe, it may be noted that a former pilot had earlier alleged that Air India was operating flights to San Francisco on Boeing 777 planes equipped with an oxygen system lasting only 12 minutes.
In November 2023, news agency PTI had reported citing sources that the senior pilot, in the complaint, said Air India’s leased B777 aircraft should not be used for the airline's direct flights to and from San Francisco because of the inadequate chemically-generated oxygen system.
The airline has to factor in that in case of an emergency situation of depressurisation, there should be sufficient oxygen supply to all the crew and the passengers for any period that is more than 12 minutes, the complainant said and also referred to the DGCA norms, according to PTI.
(With PTI inputs)
