Even as the June 12 Air India crash is being investigated, aviation watchdog Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has pulled up the Tata Group-owned airline for crew rostering violations. In an order dated Friday, the regulator directed Air India to immediately remove three officials from all roles and responsibilities related to crew scheduling and rostering for serious violations.

DGCA has also instructed the airline to initiate internal disciplinary proceedings against the officials without delay. The officials identified are divisional vice-president Choorah Singh, chief manager (DOPS, crew scheduling) Pinky Mittal, and crew scheduling (planning) Payal Arora as directly responsible for repeated non-compliance.

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The order states: “The officials have been involved in serious and repeated lapses, including but not limited to unauthorised and non-compliant crew pairings, violations of mandatory licensing and recency norms, and systemic failures in scheduling protocols and oversight.”

In its statement, the DGCA said the officials were accountable for significant operational lapses.

The violations came to light during a post-transition review following the shift from the air route management system to the CAE flight and crew management system and were voluntarily disclosed by the airline.

In response to the order, Air India said: “We acknowledge the regulator’s directive and have implemented the order. In the interim, the company’s chief operations officer will provide direct oversight to the integrated operations control centre (IOCC). Air India is committed to ensuring that there is total adherence to safety protocols and standard practices.”

The DGCA has also reportedly directed flight operations inspectors to submit detailed records of all inspections and audits carried out on Air India since 2024. The data, covering planned and unplanned inspections, audits, cockpit and en route checks, station facility reviews, as well as ramp and cabin inspections, has been sought as part of the regulator’s ongoing investigation.

The regulator has also issued a show-cause notice to the airline for operating two flights—Bangalore-London on May 16 and 17—wherein pilots were made to fly for longer than the 10 hours allowed as per flight duty time limitation (FDTL) dispensation given to AI at that point of time.

The notice stated that the “accountable manager has failed to ensure adherence” and has sought a response from the airline within seven days.

Earlier in February, the Delhi High Court had directed the DGCA to strictly adhere to its committed timeline for implementing revised norms on duty and rest hours for pilots, which are set to begin in phases starting July 1 this year.

The revised civil aviation requirement (CAR 2024) increases the minimum weekly rest period from 36 to 48 hours and restricts night operations to a maximum of two landings. These changes are aimed at addressing growing concerns over pilot fatigue and ensuring airlines implement safer duty schedules. The regulator’s phased implementation plan, detailed in an affidavit submitted in February, was finalised after consultations with pilot associations, airline operators, and the ministry of civil aviation.