The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Tuesday held a high-level review meeting with senior officials of Air India and Air India Express to assess the operational health and regulatory compliance of both airlines, which collectively operate over 1,000 flights daily.
The review focused on maintenance-related delays, recent airspace restrictions, and passenger facilitation practices. DGCA flagged concerns over delays linked to engineering and ground handling issues at Air India, urging the airline to improve internal coordination and ensure the availability of spare parts.
The impact of airspace closures, particularly over Iran, was also discussed. Airlines were advised to communicate proactively with passengers and adopt alternate routing strategies to minimize disruption.
Officials emphasized adherence to Civil Aviation Requirements regarding timely passenger information in the event of delays or cancellations. DGCA underscored the importance of real-time communication and facilitation through all available channels.
Regarding safety, the regulator reported that recent surveillance of Air India’s Boeing 787 fleet showed no major safety issues, with maintenance practices found to be compliant. Out of the airline’s 33 B787-8/9 aircraft, 24 have completed an “Enhanced Safety Inspection” as of June 17, while the remaining aircraft are either undergoing maintenance or scheduled for checks.
DGCA also called for a more robust and real-time defect reporting system to enhance operational coordination and reduce disruptions.
Reaffirming its commitment to safety and reliability, DGCA stated it will continue to closely monitor the performance of all scheduled airlines.
