Air India removes 3 senior officials after order from aviation regulator

New Delhi: The beleaguered carrier Air India has removed three senior officers from all roles and responsibilities related to crew scheduling and rostering after the airlines have done so.

The regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), issued its order citing a serious lapse in crew scheduling protocols.

According to DGCA's formal directive, the regulator identified the trio as being directly responsible for multiple violations, including unauthorised and non-compliant crew pairings, breaches of mandatory licensing requirements, and failing to follow flight crew recency norms.

The DGCA described the situation as a "systemic failure" in scheduling procedures and supervisory oversight. "These three officials have been involved in serious and repeated lapses regarding crew rostering," the regulator said. It also suggested initiating internal disciplinary proceedings within 10 days.

An Air India spokesperson said that the company's Chief Operations Officer will provide direct oversight to the Integrated Operations Control Centre (IOCC) in the interim.

Currently reeling under the devastating AI171 Boeing 787 Dreamliner crash that killed at least 270 people, including 241 passengers and crew members, Air India is facing intense heat as the Aviation Industry Employees’ Guild (AIEG) has demanded a CBI probe into the sacking of two cabin crew members by the airline for reporting a technical fault in the aircraft last year.
(With IANS inputs)