NEW DELHI — India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) cautioned Air India about significant lapses in emergency safety protocols on its Airbus fleet in the days leading up to a Boeing 787 Dreamliner crash, according to a report by Reuters. The warning centered on overdue inspections and delayed compliance responses, highlighting ongoing regulatory concerns for travelers seeking the highest standards in air travel safety.
These DGCA warnings and related investigation reports, delivered before the June 12 Air India AI 171 crash, pertain specifically to Airbus operations and not directly to the Dreamliner accident. Nonetheless, for discerning flyers who prioritize safety and reliability, the revelations point to broader questions about oversight and transparency within one of India's flagship carriers.
Air India Airbus Planes Operated Without Timely Emergency Checks
The DGCA's inspection findings, cited in internal documents and reported by Reuters, identified three Air India Airbus aircraft that were in active operation despite missing critical inspections of their emergency escape slides. These inflatable slides, a non-negotiable safety component, enable swift evacuation in emergencies and are subject to strict maintenance schedules under global aviation laws.
One Airbus A320 underwent its mandatory inspection on May 15 — more than a month late. Flight tracking data from AirNav Radar showed the aircraft continued to serve international routes, including destinations like Dubai, Riyadh and Jeddah, during the period when its emergency systems were overdue for checks. An Airbus A319, deployed on domestic Indian routes, had required slide inspections delayed by over three months. A third unspecified aircraft had its check completed two days later than mandated.
In a written report sent to Air India's top executives, the DGCA concluded that "the above cases indicate that aircraft were operated with expired or unverified emergency equipment, which is a violation of standard airworthiness and safety requirements."
Regulator Cites Delayed Response and Weak Procedural Oversight
Beyond the violations themselves, the DGCA reprimanded Air India for "failing to submit timely compliance responses" to its findings, stating this "further evidences weak procedural control and oversight." For travelers accustomed to seamless, luxury service and high operational standards, such administrative lapses can ring alarm bells about the airline's broader attention to detail.
The DGCA report and formal notices, dispatched by Animesh Garg, the government’s deputy director of airworthiness, were addressed to Air India CEO Campbell Wilson and other senior safety officials. Underlining the seriousness, the regulator declared that should aircraft not complete their required emergency inspections, their airworthiness certification would be considered suspended, grounding them from passenger service.
Tata Group-Owned Airline Pledges Faster Safety Compliance
Acquired by India’s Tata Group in 2022, Air India responded by pledging faster verification of all maintenance records — particularly those related to emergency escape slides. The airline told regulators that it was "accelerating" its internal safety checks and would conclude the process within days of the warning.
The carrier explained that in one highlighted case, the delinquency came to light only after an Air India Engineering Services technician inadvertently deployed an escape slide during a maintenance session, triggering an internal review.
Experts Sound Warning on Emergency Equipment Risks
Industry insiders remain clear: regular inspections of emergency escape slides are a non-negotiable facet of passenger safety. "In the event of an accident, malfunctioning slides could have very serious consequences," said Vibhuti Singh, a former legal adviser at India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, in a statement to Reuters.
For discerning international travelers — especially those loyal to premium cabins and high-touch service — such lapses may factor into decisions about airline choice and itinerary planning, particularly on routes where alternative carriers maintain flawless records.
String of Safety Violations and Penalties for Indian Airlines
Air India’s safety warning is not an isolated incident in recent Indian aviation history. As disclosed in parliamentary records earlier in 2024, authorities issued 23 warnings or penalties to various airlines for safety violations in the preceding year. Air India and its low-cost arm, Air India Express, accounted for more than half — twelve cases — of all reported lapses.
The infractions ranged from delayed maintenance checks to unauthorized cockpit entry. The airline's most significant penalty in that timeframe was a $127,000 fine for providing insufficient oxygen supplies during a San Francisco-bound flight, underlining intensified regulatory oversight of Indian air carriers’ compliance track records.
Legal specialists noted that such violations generally result in punitive financial and civil action — both for the company and responsible executives. In comments to Reuters, CEO Campbell Wilson admitted that ongoing global shortages of aircraft parts have affected the entire industry, but he conceded that Air India’s older, largely unmodernized fleet, much of which dates back to 2010-11, has faced particular challenges.
Luxury Travelers Weigh Risks and Rewards
In the highly competitive premium travel market, where international travelers pay a premium for confidence and peace of mind, the details of these Air India safety lapses carry heightened significance. Upscale, experience-driven flyers expect not just in-flight comfort and service, but also the assurance that every aspect of fleet maintenance matches global best practices.
For now, Air India continues to reiterate its commitment to compliance and rapid improvement under Tata Group stewardship. Yet, as both government watchdogs and discerning passengers keep a close watch, the expectation is clear: for India's national carrier to compete with the world's leading luxury airlines, airworthiness and operational discipline must truly take flight.
