DGCA Slaps Rs 90 Lakh Fine on Air India for Pilot Qualification Lapse

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has penalized Tata Group-owned Air India with a Rs 90 lakh fine for operating a flight with non-qualified pilots. Additional fines were imposed on Air India's Director of Operations Pankul Mathur and Director of Training Manish Vasavada, following an investigation into regulatory violations.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has levied a Rs 90 lakh penalty on Tata-owned Air India for conducting a flight manned by non-qualified pilots.

The aviation watchdog also fined Air India's Director of Operations Pankul Mathur and Director of Training Manish Vasavada Rs 6 lakh and Rs 3 lakh, respectively, for their lapse.

The DGCA's investigation revealed significant regulatory violations, leading to this enforcement action after the airline's submitted voluntary report failed to justify the safety breach.

(With inputs from agencies.)