Air India flew A320 without valid airworthiness licence eight times, DGCA probe underway

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Air India is facing questions over a serious safety lapse after it operated an aircraft that was not airworthy, potentially putting passengers at risk. A 164-seater Airbus A320 flew eight times on November 24 and 25 before an engineer discovered that its airworthiness licence had expired, the Economic Times reported. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has begun an investigation.

The incident has raised concerns at a time when the Tata-owned airline has been trying to reassure passengers about its safety practices since the June 12 Dreamliner crash that killed 260 people.

The Certificate of Airworthiness is issued by the DGCA and is renewed annually after checks to confirm an aircraft is in a safe condition to fly. Operating a plane without valid documents is considered a serious offence, and officials said Air India could face penalties and even suspension of senior personnel.

The airline said it has suspended everyone involved in releasing the aircraft for service without the required licence. The A320 has been grounded while the regulator conducts its inquiry.

The report, citing a government official, said the lapse may also cause problems with lessors because flying a plane with an expired licence can invalidate insurance cover. The official said, “By operating an aircraft which was not certified to be airworthy, the carrier has risked flight safety and that of all the passengers. This is a serious violation and not expected from a mainline carrier like Air India.”

While DGCA teams conduct periodic spot checks, the operator is responsible for ensuring every aircraft remains airworthy. Engineers noted that modern systems make it difficult to miss scheduled maintenance or renewals. Air India’s Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation oversees compliance. A DGCA inspector said airlines usually start renewal work three months before the deadline. He added, “After the end of daily operations, when the aircraft is parked for a night halt, an engineer checks whether all documents and approvals are in line. That the plane flew eight times with an expired licence raises a lot of questions about Air India’s safety culture.”

The DGCA is likely to classify the incident as a Level 1 violation, which is considered critical to flight safety. It adds to a series of recent issues linked to Air India’s engineering and oversight systems. Senior officials, including CEO Campbell Wilson, were earlier issued show-cause notices over components that had exceeded their approved lifespan. The head of the airline’s engineering quality department was suspended a few months ago.

The repeated lapses point to the Tata group’s struggle to restore the airline’s credibility nearly four years after privatisation. Air India has been working with Singapore Airlines, which owns 25.1 per cent of the company, to strengthen engineering operations. Senior vice president Jeremy Yew from SIA Engineering Services has joined the carrier, and more officials are expected.

Air India said on Tuesday the lapse was “regrettable” and the airline has launched a full internal investigation. In a statement, it said, “As soon as this came to our notice, it was duly reported to the DGCA and all personnel associated with the decision have been placed under suspension, pending further review. We have initiated a comprehensive internal investigation and are fully cooperating with the regulator.” The airline said it is committed to the highest safety standards, and any deviation from compliance protocols is taken seriously.

Earlier this year, Air India Flight 171 crashed 32 seconds after taking off from Ahmedabad. Only one passenger survived. On the ground, 19 people died, and dozens were injured. The airline said 95 per cent of the families of the victims have received interim compensation.