Air India Under Fire: DGCA Orders Dismissal of 3 Officials Over Alarming Safety Oversights

DGCA Cracks the Whip: Safety Lapses Trigger High-Level Terminations

In a decisive move to restore confidence in India’s aviation safety framework, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on June 21, 2025, directed Air India to terminate three senior officials over what it described as “serious and repeated violations” in crew rostering and operational oversight.

The officials named in the directive include:

• Choorah Singh, Divisional Vice President
• Pinky Mittal, Chief Manager – DOPS, Crew Scheduling
• Payal Arora, Crew Scheduling – Planning

According to the DGCA, these individuals were responsible for unauthorized crew pairings, violations of mandatory licensing and rest norms, and systemic failures in compliance monitoring. The lapses were uncovered during a post-transition audit after Air India migrated from the ARMS system to the CAE Flight and Crew Management System.

The regulator emphasized that these violations were voluntarily disclosed by the airline, but warned that the absence of disciplinary action against those responsible was unacceptable. The DGCA’s order also cautioned that future violations could lead to license suspensions or withdrawal of operator permissions.

Context of Crisis: Ahmedabad Crash Casts Long Shadow

The timing of the DGCA’s directive is significant. It comes just days after the AI-171 crash in Ahmedabad, which claimed 270 lives, including passengers and civilians on the ground. While the current terminations are not directly linked to the crash, the tragedy has intensified scrutiny on Air India’s safety protocols.

The crash involved a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner that went down shortly after takeoff, crashing into a residential complex near BJ Medical College. The incident has not only shaken public confidence but also prompted a broader review of Air India’s operational practices.

In this climate of heightened accountability, the DGCA’s action is being seen as a signal of zero tolerance for procedural negligence. The regulator has also issued a show cause notice to Air India over two Bengaluru-London flights that exceeded the 10-hour flight time limit, raising concerns about pilot fatigue and duty time violations.

Air India Responds: Compliance and Course Correction

In response to the DGCA’s directive, Air India has confirmed that it has implemented the order and removed the three officials from their roles. The airline’s Chief Operations Officer will now directly oversee the Integrated Operations Control Centre (IOCC) to ensure tighter compliance and accountability.

An Air India spokesperson stated, “We are committed to ensuring total adherence to safety protocols and standard practices. The regulator’s concerns have been taken seriously, and corrective measures are underway.”

Industry experts have welcomed the move but caution that systemic reform must go beyond individual terminations. “This is a wake-up call for the entire aviation ecosystem,” said a former DGCA official. “Crew scheduling is not just an administrative task, it’s a frontline defense against fatigue-related incidents.”

The airline is also expected to revise its internal audit mechanisms, enhance training for scheduling personnel, and strengthen oversight of its new crew management system.

Conclusion:
The DGCA’s directive to sack three senior Air India officials marks a pivotal moment in India’s aviation safety narrative. While the move addresses immediate accountability, it also underscores the need for deep-rooted structural reforms. As Air India navigates the aftermath of a national tragedy and mounting regulatory pressure, the path forward must be paved with transparency, vigilance, and an unwavering commitment to passenger safety.

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