The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) conducted a detailed review meeting on 17 June 2025 with the senior management of Air India Limited and Air India Express. The move came in response to a series of flight delays and passenger complaints, with the regulator focusing on improving safety, operational performance, and customer service.

Together, the two airlines operate more than 1,000 daily flights across India and abroad. The DGCA highlighted that several of the delays were maintenance-related and called for improved coordination between engineering, operations, and ground handling departments. Airlines were directed to ensure the availability of spare parts and adequate maintenance scheduling.

Another area of concern was the recent impact of airspace restrictions over Iran, which led to flight diversions and delays. The DGCA stressed the need for better passenger communication, asking the airlines to proactively inform customers and crew during such disruptions.

The review also covered compliance with existing Civil Aviation Requirements. The regulator reminded the airlines of their obligation to provide timely updates to passengers on delays and cancellations via multiple channels, including airport displays, websites, SMS, and call centres.

A key focus was the safety audit of Air India’s Boeing 787 fleet. Out of 33 aircraft, 24 have already undergone enhanced inspections with no major safety issues found. The remaining aircraft are currently undergoing checks or are scheduled for inspection shortly.

The DGCA suggested implementing a real-time defect reporting system to streamline communication among various departments and ensure quicker issue resolution.

While the DGCA noted some variations in operational performance metrics between 12 and 17 June, it confirmed that there were no significant safety lapses. The regulator reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining high standards in India’s aviation sector and assured continued oversight of all scheduled carriers.