Once again, the Indian aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a ‘Show Cause’ notice to Air India. The airline was found to be in violation of certain laws under Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR).
Compensation requirements per CAR
According to the agency Air India has not provided the passengers whose flights were either delayed/cancelled or for those of who were denied boarding, with the mandatory compensations and arrangements as per the CAR guidelines.
Air India had received a similar Show Cause notice from DGCA last year in June, where the agency found the airline under similar violation.
In that instance, they fined Air India RS.10 Lakhs and asked the airline to put in proper system in place to ensure such violation doesn’t occur in future. The agency had also warned against further action if Air India would fail to comply.
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DGCA Statement
The DGCA said in a statement “In order to ensure compliance of passenger-centric (rules), DGCA carried out inspections of scheduled domestic airlines at various major airports on a continuing basis since May 2023.”
“During the inspections of airlines, it was observed that Air India was not complying with the provisions of the relevant (rule).”
The statement continued: “Accordingly, a Show Cause notice has been issued to Air India seeking their response for non-compliance to the provisions.”
“DGCA considers it imperative to continuously strengthen the rights of passengers and ensure that airlines operate under harmonised conditions in line with best global practices.”
“Accordingly, DGCA had issued rules regarding ‘Facilities to be provided to passengers by airlines due to denied boarding, cancellation of flights and delays in flights’ in 2010 (revised from time-to-time) to ensure appropriate protection for air travellers in case of flight disruptions and, in particular, denied boardings, flight cancellations and delays”
It is perhaps time for Air India to put proper measures in place to ensure there is no flouting of the CAR regulations. Thought at the time of publishing this article Air India is yet to respond to the DGCA and the only after their response the regulator will decide on the next course of action.
Recent ground accident
In another recent incident reported from Air India, a 56-year-old aircraft engineer Mr. Ram Prakash Singh tragically lost his life when he slipped and fell down from stairs.
The flight engineer on November 7 2023 was at T3 terminal of Indira Gandhi International Airport, he was changing the radome on one of the Air India’s aircraft when he slipped and fell to the ground.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (IGI) Mr.Devesh Kumar Mahla said “ Air India staff sent him to Medanta Hospital and thereafter brought him to Manipal Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival. The crime and FSL teams have inspected the spot.”
Mr. Ram Prakash Sing held the position of Senior Superintendent Service Engineer with the airline.
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