DGCA Cracks Down on Air India: Three Senior Officials Removed Over Crew Scheduling Violations After Fatal Crash

India’s aviation watchdog, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has ordered swift disciplinary action against three senior Air India officials following revelations of “serious and repeated violations” in flight crew scheduling protocols.

The lapses—voluntarily disclosed by the airline—highlight that crew members were assigned to flights despite failing to meet mandatory requirements for licensing, rest periods, and recent flying experience. The violations came to light during a post-transition audit of Air India’s shift from the ARMS (Aviation Resource Management System) to the CAE Flight and Crew Management System.

While the DGCA acknowledged the airline’s transparency, it strongly criticized the lack of internal checks and accountability, calling it a “systemic failure.” The June 20 order specifically named three officials:

• Choorah Singh, Divisional Vice President

• Pinky Mittal, Chief Manager, Operations (Crew Scheduling)

• Payal Arora, Crew Scheduling – Planning

The order follows the recent tragic crash of an Air India flight from Ahmedabad to Gatwick, which claimed 241 lives. Though investigations are ongoing, the DGCA’s directive links the crew scheduling failures to broader safety concerns.

The three officials were found responsible for unauthorized and non-compliant crew pairings, breaching licensing and recency norms, and failing to uphold oversight protocols.

Air India has been instructed to immediately remove the officials from all crew scheduling and rostering duties. They are to be reassigned to non-operational roles pending reforms and are barred from holding positions that impact flight safety or compliance.

The DGCA further mandated internal disciplinary proceedings against them, with outcomes to be reported within 10 days. The regulator warned that any future violations will invite strict penalties, including license suspensions or even revoking Air India’s operating permissions.