New Delhi, June 20, 2025: India’s flagship carrier Air India is under fresh scrutiny after the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued stern warnings for flying three Airbus aircraft with unchecked emergency escape slides, revealing what the regulator calls a “systemic control failure” within the airline’s internal oversight mechanisms.
The DGCA’s warning came days before last week’s tragic crash of an Air India Boeing 787-8, which claimed 241 lives out of 242 onboard. While the investigation into the crash is still underway, the regulator clarified that the Airbus incident is unrelated to the Boeing crash. However, together, these events are expected to intensify pressure on Air India, which is already grappling with image and trust issues.
Details of the Safety Lapses
According to internal DGCA documents reviewed by Reuters, Air India had operated three Airbus aircraft without conducting timely checks on emergency escape slides—critical safety components that enable evacuation during emergencies. The documents highlight that Air India was not only late in performing these mandatory checks, but was also slow in responding to regulatory alerts about the lapses.
Additionally, the DGCA flagged that several Air India aircraft had outdated registration paperwork, raising procedural red flags, even though the airline responded that all but one aircraft now comply and that the lapse “poses no impact” to safety.
Systemic Oversight Failures Identified
The DGCA’s investigation went beyond procedural lapses, painting a broader picture of internal quality assurance breakdowns. The report stated:
“Despite prior notifications and identified deficiencies, the organization’s internal quality and planning departments failed to implement effective corrective action, indicating systemic control failure.”
This statement underscores a deeper problem within the airline’s operational and compliance culture, suggesting failures in both foresight and response.
Broader Safety Record Under Question
The DGCA had earlier fined or warned airlines in 23 separate safety violations in 2024, with Air India and its subsidiary Air India Express accounting for 12 of them. Notable violations included:
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Unauthorized entry into the cockpit
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Insufficient oxygen onboard during a transcontinental flight to San Francisco — leading to a $127,000 fine, the largest levied.
Such recurring lapses indicate that Air India’s compliance ecosystem may require a systemic overhaul.
Air India’s Response and the Path Forward
Air India, now under Tata Group ownership, has been working on rebuilding its brand and operational reliability. In a communication to employees earlier this week, Chairman N. Chandrasekaran acknowledged the recent crash and regulatory challenges, urging the staff to use the tragedy as a “catalyst to build a safer airline.” He stressed the need to remain resilient in the face of criticism and focus on embedding safety culture across all departments.
While it continues to contest some findings, it also faces a reputational test. Safety has become a critical determinant of trust in the post-crash era, and observers believe that rebuilding operational integrity and re-establishing public confidence will require both regulatory cooperation and internal transformation.
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