The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has imposed a fine of Rs 1 crore on Air India for serious violations of air safety rules. The investigation found that the airline’s Airbus A320 aircraft took off eight times without the mandatory Airworthiness Review Certificate (ARC). The regulatory body considered this a very serious mistake and held the top level management responsible.
DGCA said serious negligence
DGCA said in its order that this matter reflects not just a technical error but a serious lack of regulatory compliance. According to sources, the regulator termed it as a casual approach by the airline and clarified that strict action is taken against such violations. Along with the fine, Air India CEO Campbell Wilson has been held liable for this lapse while fixing the responsibility. Usually, in such cases, show cause notices are issued to the managers concerned.
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Air India’s response
Responding to the DGCA order, an Air India spokesperson issued a statement saying the matter pertains to a voluntarily reported incident in 2025. The airline said all the deficiencies identified have now been addressed satisfactorily and the details have been shared with the authorities. The spokesperson also reiterated that Air India is committed to maintaining the highest standards of transparency and safety in its operations.
Why is ARC certificate important?
The Airworthiness Review Certificate confirms the aircraft’s technical condition, maintenance records and safety compliance. Without this, flight operation is considered a big risk related to the safety of passengers. Experts believe that strict action is necessary against such negligence in the aviation sector, so that there is no compromise on safety standards. This step of DGCA clearly indicates that any level of lapse in aviation security matters will not be tolerated.
What is the whole matter?
According to the information, between November 24 and 25, Air India’s Airbus A320 aircraft operated flights in several sectors including New Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai and Hyderabad. The required Airworthiness Review Certificate (ARC) was not obtained for these flights. ARC is a mandatory annual certificate, issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. This certification ensures that the aircraft meets all safety standards. Flying without an ARC is considered a serious violation of aviation safety rules.
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