Air India Warned for Breaching Safety Rules Over Emergency Equipment Checks

Air India was recently alerted for breaking safety norms after three of its Airbus planes flew despite being overdue for checks on emergency equipment. The incident came to light just days after a devastating plane crash in Ahmedabad that killed 270 people and injured dozens more. Government documents reviewed by Reuters revealed that Air India had failed to submit timely compliance responses to deficiencies raised by the DGCA, highlighting weak procedural control and oversight.

Key Takeaways:

• Three Air India Airbus planes flew despite being overdue for mandatory inspections on critical emergency equipment, including escape slides.
• The inspections were delayed for over a month, with one plane flying to international destinations such as Dubai, Riyadh, and Jeddah during the delay.
• An Airbus A319 was found to have checks over three months late, while a third plane had an inspection two days late.
• The DGCA investigation report criticized Air India for inadequate internal oversight and outdated registration paperwork on several aircraft.
• Air India claims that all but one aircraft comply with safety requirements and that the incident has no impact on safety.

Statistics:

• Three Air India Airbus planes were found to have overdue emergency equipment checks.
• One plane flew to international destinations during a delay of over a month while waiting for inspection.
• The inspection of an Airbus A320 jet was delayed by over a month before being carried out on May 15.
• An Airbus A319 had checks over three months late.
• Over 270 people died in a plane crash in Ahmedabad just days before the incident came to light.

Sources:

• Reuters report.
• Government documents reviewed by Reuters.
• DGCA investigation report.
• Air India statement to Reuters.