The DGCA will undertake a thorough assessment of Air India‘s primary facility in Gurugram. This planned evaluation, scheduled before the June 12 Ahmedabad plane crash, will verify aircraft documentation, airworthiness status, and crew-related records including training and duty hours, as detailed in documentation reviewed by ET.A senior DGCA official, speaking anonymously, clarified that this inspection is a standard yearly surveillance activity and not a response to the crash.The timing coincides with heightened regulatory oversight of Air India’s operations following the accident. DGCA officials have been instructed to submit comprehensive details of all Air India inspections and audits conducted since 2024.
Air India cuts
The aviation regulator has implemented a reformed audit methodology to ensure greater thoroughness. This modification follows the tragic Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner accident in Ahmedabad, which resulted in 241 passenger fatalities and over 30 ground casualties.Previously, Indian aviation’s regulatory and safety supervision operated independently, with separate departments conducting specialised inspections and audits within their respective areas.The DGCA has outlined various monitoring activities, including scheduled and impromptu surveillance checks and ramp assessments, which evaluate safety standards and compliance across aviation sectors.The revised structure represents a comprehensive approach to aviation oversight, transitioning from isolated monitoring methods to an integrated evaluation system.Also Read | ‘Violation of standard airworthiness…’: Days before Air India crash, DGCA warned airline of breaching safety rules on Airbus aircraft: ReportThe assessment process will focus on three key domains: evaluating the efficiency of organisational safety management protocols, scrutinising operational methodologies, and verifying adherence to regulatory standards.A high-ranking DGCA representative indicated that specialised teams comprising experts in air safety, aircraft airworthiness, crew training standards and air navigation will conduct these detailed assessments.Regular audits will be implemented for airlines, airports, maintenance facilities and flight training institutions. The official clarified that whilst serious incidents or persistent non-compliance might necessitate an audit, routine assessments will be conducted with advance notification to organisations.On Sunday, Air India announced a temporary reduction of 118 weekly narrow-body aircraft flights across 19 routes, alongside the suspension of operations on three routes.