Aviation regulator DGCA has imposed a penalty of Rs 10 lakh on Air India for failing to comply with applicable guidelines regarding the safety of passengers on board flights.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said that the violations by the airline pertained to certain mandatory precautions not being followed for operating long-haul routes passing over water and land not considered safe for emergency landing.
As per the show cause notice issued to Air India, the DGCA examined the airline’s response and prima facie found non-compliance on its part with laid down norms. The regulator said a financial penalty of Rs 10 million has therefore been levied on Air India.
“Maintaining the highest standards of safety has always been the foremost priority of Air India. We will review the DGCA order in detail and take appropriate steps,” an Air India spokesperson said reacting to the fine.
The development comes weeks after DGCA cracked down on growing instances of unruly passenger behavior onboard flights. It had recently imposed fines totaling Rs 37 lakh on four airlines for not following guidelines on handling such issues.
DGCA chief Arun Kumar has reiterated that passenger safety is paramount and any violation of protocols will invite strict action. The regulator has ramped up monitoring of flight operations, maintenance, and crew training standards amid rising incidents in Indian aviation over recent months.
