NEW DELHI – Air India, the national airline of India, has been fined over $95,000 by the country’s civil aviation authority for alleged violations of several rules related to pilot flight time limitations.
Flight Time Limitations (FTL) are globally recognized rules that set the maximum working hours for pilots and mandate specific rest periods between flights. In a recent move to reduce aircrew fatigue, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in India increased the minimum weekly rest period for pilots from 36 hours to 48 hours.
The DGCA found that Air India had, on several occasions, operated flights with both crew members aged over 60, which contravenes Sub Rule (2) of Rule 28 A of the Aircraft Rules, 1937. The audit by the regulator also uncovered instances of duty periods being exceeded, training records being inaccurately documented, and duties overlapping.
In light of these findings, the DGCA issued a show cause notice to Air India on March 1. The airline’s response was deemed unsatisfactory, leading to the imposition of a fine of Rs 80 lakh (around $95,000).
This fine follows a previous incident where Air India was fined Rs 30 lakh after an 80-year-old passenger collapsed and died during the immigration process on February 12.
