DGCA suspends Air India's flight safety chief amidst safety concerns

DGCA suspends Air India's flight safety chief Captain Rajeev Gupta

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken decisive action in response to safety concerns within Air India, suspending the Chief of Flight Safety, Captain Rajeev Gupta, for a period of one month. This move comes after a comprehensive surveillance of the airline was conducted on July 25 and 26th 2023, by the DGCA, which revealed serious deficiencies in various critical areas.

DGCA's surveillance carried out over two days, scrutinized key aspects including internal audits, accident prevention efforts, and the availability of essential technical manpower. The findings raised significant concerns about Air India's adherence to safety protocols and regulatory requirements.

One of the major concerns identified was the inadequacy of the airline's accident prevention measures. The DGCA noted that the organization fell short of ensuring comprehensive accident prevention work, which is pivotal in safeguarding passengers and flight operations.

Another alarming discovery was the shortage of the required technical manpower, a vital element in maintaining aviation safety standards. Air India was found to be lacking in the number of technical personnel needed as specified in the approved Flight Safety Manual and relevant Civil Aviation Requirements.

Furthermore, the DGCA found fault with the internal audit and spot checks carried out by the airline, stating that some of these inspections were conducted in a perfunctory manner, failing to meet regulatory requirements.

In response to these findings, the DGCA reviewed the action taken report submitted by Air India and subsequently issued show cause notices to the responsible post holders. Following the review of the responses received, the DGCA has directed Air India not to assign any audits, surveillance, or spot checks related to DGCA compliance to the auditor involved in the perfunctory inspections, citing a lack of diligence.

The suspension of Chief of Flight Safety, Captain Rajeev Gupta, reflects the gravity of the lapses identified during the DGCA's surveillance. It is a measure taken to ensure accountability and to emphasize the paramount importance of safety in civil aviation.

This development underscores the DGCA's commitment to upholding the highest safety standards in the Indian aviation sector and serves as a reminder to all airlines to maintain rigorous adherence to safety protocols and regulations.

Air India has not yet issued a statement regarding the suspension of Captain Rajeev Gupta or the actions taken in response to the DGCA's findings.