The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Wednesday imposed a fine of Rs. 10 lakh on Air India for the second time over non-compliance of compensation rules. These pertain to "not providing hotel accommodation for passengers affected by delayed flights, non-training of some of their ground personnel as per the stipulations and non-payment of compensation to international business class passengers who were made to travel on unserviceable seats.

After carrying out inspections of airlines at Delhi, Kochi and Bangalore airports, the DGCA  had observed that Air India was not complying with the provisions of the relevant Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR). A show cause notice was also issued to Air India 2023 seeking their response for non-compliance to the provisions of the relevant regulations.

Based on the reply submitted by Air India, it was found that Air India has not complied with the provisions of the CAR, inter-alia, not providing hotel accommodation for passengers affected by delayed flights, non training of some of their ground personnel as per the stipulations laid down in the CAR and non-payment of compensation to international business class passengers who were made to travel on unserviceable seats.  Accordingly, DGCA has imposed a financial penalty of Rs.10 lakhs on Air India for non- compliance of DGCA regulations.  This is not the first time that Air India faced a scrutiny for non compliance of aviation rules.  Last year, the airline was fined for Rs 10 lakh for similar violations.

Pursuant to two serious incidents in quick succession involving aircraft of M/s Red Bird Flight Training Academy Pvt. Ltd. on 19th and 22nd October 2023, DGCA carried out a special maintenance audit of the organisation at its main base at Baramati, Maharashtra and four (04) sub-bases at Seoni, Madhya Pradesh Kalburgi (Karnataka), Belgavi (Karnataka) and Lilabari (Assam).

“The findings from the special maintenance audit revealed deficiencies in personnel training, maintenance schedules and records, internal audit practices, tool and store management and fuel storage and handling.  Accordingly, DGCA has initiated enforcement action on M/s Red Bird Flight Training Academy Pvt. Ltd. and a show cause notice has been issued for the deficiencies,” it said.

DGCA has reviewed the corrective actions taken by M/s Red Bird Flight Training Academy Pvt. Ltd. on the findings of the maintenance audit. The review has indicated that the flying training organisation has failed to continuously adhere to the provisions of Aircraft Rules, 1937 and Civil Aviation Requirements in order to ensure proper maintenance of the aircraft for ensuring continued safe operations.