Priyanka Tiwari
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Suspense crime, Digital Desk : In a decisive and unprecedented move to clamp down on safety violations, India's aviation watchdog, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has ordered Air India to immediately remove three key officials from their crew rostering responsibilities. The directive targets the very individuals responsible for scheduling pilots and cabin crew, following findings that they repeatedly violated critical regulations designed to prevent dangerous crew fatigue.
The action stems from serious breaches of Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms. These are strict, legally mandated rules that govern the maximum hours a crew member can fly, their total duty period, and their minimum required rest time. The DGCA found that the officials at Air India were creating rosters that pushed crew members beyond these legal limits, posing a significant risk to air safety.
This stern directive is the latest step in an escalating series of enforcement actions against the Tata Group-owned airline. It follows a hefty ₹80 lakh fine imposed on Air India by the DGCA in March for the very same issue. A spot audit conducted by the regulator in January 2024 had uncovered evidence of these persistent violations.
The removal of the three officials—who were directly involved in preparing flight crew rosters—signals that the DGCA is no longer satisfied with just financial penalties. The regulator is now holding individuals accountable for compromising passenger safety.
Crew fatigue is a major global concern in the aviation industry, as it can impair a pilot's cognitive functions, slow reaction times, and lead to critical errors in judgment. By rostering crew for excessively long duties, the officials were directly contributing to this risk.
The DGCA's move sends a powerful message to the entire Indian aviation industry: compliance with safety regulations, particularly those concerning crew rest and fatigue management, is non-negotiable. The message from the regulator is clear: when it comes to the safety of the flying public, there will be no compromises.
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