Asger Risom
India’s aviation regulator has warned the national carrier over systemic lapses that allowed planes to fly with expired emergency equipment.
In an industry where safety standards are non-negotiable, even minor oversights can have deadly consequences.
As scrutiny intensifies following a recent fatal crash, Air India now faces a separate storm over regulatory failures, threatening the airline’s already fragile reputation.
Regulator flags major violations
India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued multiple warnings to Air India after inspections revealed that three Airbus aircraft were operating with overdue checks on their escape slides—equipment critical to passenger evacuation during emergencies.
The regulator’s investigation, reviewed by Reuters, detailed delays ranging from two days to over three months.
Despite this, the aircraft continued flying, including on international routes like Dubai and Riyadh.
“These cases indicate aircraft were operated with expired or unverified emergency equipment, which is a violation of standard airworthiness and safety requirements,” the DGCA wrote.
Airline response and broader concerns
Air India, which was privatized in 2022 after a Tata Group takeover, said it is now accelerating checks across its fleet and blamed one issue on an inadvertent deployment during maintenance.
However, the DGCA criticized the airline’s slow compliance and outdated registration paperwork, describing the situation as a “systemic control failure.”
In recent years, Air India has faced multiple fines, including a $127,000 penalty earlier for insufficient oxygen during a flight.
The latest lapses come as the airline still reels from last week’s deadly Boeing 787-8 crash, unrelated to the Airbus violations.
Industry experts warn that unverified escape slides pose serious safety risks.
“If they don’t open in an accident, it can lead to serious injuries,” said Vibhuti Singh, formerly with India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau.
A pattern of neglect?
The DGCA concluded that Air India’s internal oversight mechanisms had failed, noting prior warnings were ignored.
The investigation found quality and planning departments were ineffective at implementing corrective actions.
For an airline striving to shed its troubled past, these revelations could further delay Air India’s attempt at a safe, modern resurgence.