DGCA suspends Air India's chief of flight safety

Air India's Chief of Flight Safety, Rajeev Gupta, has been suspended for a duration of one month following revelations of multiple lapses discovered by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) during a surveillance conducted in July. The suspension comes in the wake of findings that point to deficiencies in the airline's accident prevention measures and the availability of required technical personnel as outlined in the approved flight safety manual and relevant Civil Aviation Requirements, according to a statement by the aviation regulator.

The DGCA's surveillance, conducted on July 25 and 26, revealed shortcomings in Air India's accident prevention efforts, as well as concerns regarding the adequacy of the technical workforce in line with prescribed guidelines.

Furthermore, the statement highlighted that some internal audits or spot checks, purportedly carried out by the airline, were performed in a perfunctory manner, falling short of regulatory requirements. These lapses raise questions about the airline's commitment to safety protocols and oversight procedures. In response to these findings, an Air India spokesperson acknowledged and accepted the regulator's assessment. The airline expressed regret over the lapse, particularly the failure of one of its audit staff members to fully comply with the prescribed processes and documentation requirements.

This development underscores the significance of stringent safety measures within the aviation industry and the regulatory authority's commitment to upholding and enforcing them. The suspension of Air India's Chief of Flight Safety serves as a reminder of the imperative to maintain the highest standards of safety and compliance in the realm of aviation.