India Probes Air India Over Flights Operated Without Valid Safety Certificate

New Delhi – India’s aviation regulator has opened a detailed investigation into Air India after the airline operated an aircraft repeatedly without a valid airworthiness review certificate, a mandatory document that confirms an aircraft’s compliance with safety standards and is required annually for continued commercial service.

The incident has raised fresh concerns about oversight and operational discipline within one of the country’s largest carriers at a time when the aviation ecosystem is already confronting heightened scrutiny.

Authorities indicated that the aircraft involved was an Airbus A320 based on the registration code referenced in the regulator’s communication, according to individuals familiar with the matter.

The aircraft was reportedly flown eight times after its certificate had expired following an engine change, prompting immediate action from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

The regulator has grounded the aircraft and removed relevant personnel from active duty while the inquiry proceeds, reflecting a strong stance on accountability and process compliance.

Officials noted that the airline, which holds delegated authority to issue these certificates internally, must demonstrate precisely how the lapse occurred and why internal checks failed to prevent the aircraft from returning to commercial service.

Air India stated that it had self-reported the lapse on November 26 and suspended employees involved in clearing the aircraft for flight without a valid certificate.

The airline described the situation as “regrettable” and said it would cooperate fully with the regulator’s investigation to ensure corrective measures are implemented swiftly.

The probe is unfolding during a challenging period for the airline, which is still dealing with the operational and financial impact of a deadly

Dreamliner crash in June and losses connected to an airspace restriction imposed by Pakistan on Indian airlines.
These setbacks have contributed to renewed pressure on the carrier to demonstrate greater internal rigour and reinforce safety systems.

Earlier this year, the DGCA issued warnings to Air India concerning issues related to crew fatigue management, training standards and operational consistency.

The regulator’s annual audit revealed 51 safety lapses within the airline, identifying concerns over pilot training, use of non-approved simulators and shortcomings in rostering practices that could affect flight safety.

The DGCA said that the expired certificate came to light during routine cross-checking, and investigators are now reviewing maintenance logs, clearance processes and communication chains between engineering and operations teams.

The regulator emphasised that the lapse indicates an “internal gap” in compliance mechanisms and must be addressed before the aircraft is cleared to resume service.

An airworthiness review certificate is a critical requirement issued only after verifying an aircraft’s maintenance history, its physical condition and compliance with regulatory norms.

Industry experts note that operating without the certificate undermines not only regulatory adherence but also passenger trust, particularly in a sector where safety assurances are central to public confidence.

The regulator had previously decided to issue initial certificates for aircraft belonging to the former Vistara fleet after its merger with Air India, aiming to ensure uniform standards across the transitioned fleet.

This oversight structure was intended to bolster supervision during integration, but the latest lapse has prompted calls for a broader review of certification delegation.

Air India has been directed to conduct an internal investigation and provide a full report outlining the sequence of events, identification of systemic weaknesses and steps being taken to prevent any recurrence.

The DGCA has also instructed the airline to reinforce training, documentation workflows and internal auditing mechanisms to strengthen overall safety compliance.

Authorities are expected to issue further directives once the probe concludes, and the incident may lead to tighter regulatory requirements on certificate issuance across India’s aviation sector.

For now, industry observers are watching closely as the investigation unfolds, given its potential implications for operational governance within the expanding Indian aviation market.