A320 operated eight times with expired certificate: Air India

Air India said it “regrettable” flew an Airbus A320 at least eight times last month despite an expired airworthiness certificate. The airline has suspended involved personnel and launched an internal probe, as the DGCA investigates the lapse. The aircraft remains grounded.

New Delhi: After the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) initiated an investigation into an Air India aircraft that was not airworthy but still flew at least eight times before it was grounded, the airline on Tuesday said the incident was “regrettable” and it has initiated a comprehensive internal investigation.

The Airbus A320 in question was operated with an “expired airworthiness licence” at least eight times last month before the lapse was discovered and the aircraft was grounded. The A320 remains grounded pending DGCA investigation.

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The Certificate of Airworthiness is issued by the DGCA, and is renewed every year only if the aircraft in a safe condition for flight.

According to aviation officials, operating an aircraft without valid licences and certificates is considered a serious offence.

Air India said in a statement that “an incident involving one of our aircraft operating without an airworthiness review certificate is regrettable”.

“As soon as this came to our notice, it was duly reported to the DGCA and all personnel associated with the decision have been placed under suspension, pending further review. We have initiated a comprehensive internal investigation and are fully cooperating with the regulator,” an Air India spokesperson said in a statement.

The airline further said that “it remains unwavering in its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of operational integrity and safety, and any deviation from mandated compliance protocols is treated with utmost seriousness and is unacceptable to the organisation”.

Earlier this year, Air India Flight 171 en route from Ahmedabad to London crashed 32 seconds after takeoff on June 12. Of the 12 crew members and 229 passengers on board, only one passenger survived. On the ground, 19 people were killed, and 67 others were seriously injured.

According to the airline, 95 per cent of the families of the 171 Dreamliner, which crashed just minutes after take-off in Ahmedabad, have received interim compensation.