The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a show-cause notice to Air India after uncovering violations of Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) during recent spot checks.
The lapses were detected on two Bengaluru-London flights—AI133 operated on May 16 and 17, which allegedly exceeded the stipulated 10-hour crew duty cap.
According to the official notice, Air India’s Accountable Manager failed to enforce compliance with Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR Section 7, Series J Part III), leading to a breach of crew fatigue management protocols. The DGCA emphasised the potential risk to passenger safety resulting from such oversights.
The regulator has demanded an explanation within seven days, asking the airline to justify why action should not be initiated against them for the violations. At the time of writing, Air India has yet to issue a formal response.
This enforcement move highlights the DGCA’s renewed focus on crew welfare and passenger safety, especially after repeated concerns about fatigue-induced errors in long-haul operations. Industry insiders note that this could signal stricter scrutiny across other airlines as well.
