Skip to content

Facebook Instagram Linkedin X-twitter Youtube

About Us
Contact Us
Advertisement

About Us
Contact Us
Advertisement

Aviation Newsletter

WhatsApp Channel

Search

News
Pilot Training
Flight School Analysis
Civil Aviation
Aviation Jobs
Training
Services
More

News
Pilot Training
Flight School Analysis
Civil Aviation
Aviation Jobs
Training
Services
More

Search

News
Pilot Training
Flight School Analysis
Civil Aviation
Aviation Jobs
Training
Services
More

News
Pilot Training
Flight School Analysis
Civil Aviation
Aviation Jobs
Training
Services
More

News

Civil Aviation

Pilot Training

Flight School Analysis

Aviation Jobs

Training

Services

About Us

Contact Us

Search

aircraft certification

DGCA Fines Air India ₹1 Crore For Flying A320 Eight Times Without Valid ARC Permit SEO DES: The DGCA in its order said the lapse eroded public confidence. Air India said the issue was voluntarily reported & corrective actions have been taken SOCIAL: India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, has fined Air India $110,350 (around ₹1 crore) after an Airbus A320 operated eight flights in November 2025 without a valid Airworthiness Review Certificate (ARC). The DGCA said the lapse eroded public confidence and held the airline’s accountable manager responsible. Air India said the issue was voluntarily reported, corrective actions have been taken, and the aircraft was grounded once the error was detected. The incident has added to regulatory scrutiny of the airline’s safety systems. Delhi, India: India’s civil aviation regulator has penalised Air India with a $110,350 (about ₹1 crore) fine after an Airbus A320 aircraft operated eight commercial flights without a valid Airworthiness Review Certificate (ARC), raising fresh concerns over airline safety compliance. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a confidential order on February 5 finding that the aircraft flew eight flights on November 24–25, 2025 including routes between New Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai and Hyderabad without the mandatory annual airworthiness permit that certifies an aircraft’s fitness to fly. In its order addressed to Air India Chief Executive Officer Campbell Wilson, the DGCA said the lapse had “further eroded public confidence and adversely impacted the safety compliance of the organisation.” The regulator held the airline’s “accountable manager” responsible for the breach and directed that the fine be deposited within 30 days of the order. The ARC is a critical regulatory clearance issued annually only after an aircraft undergoes detailed maintenance assessment, records verification and physical inspection to confirm conformity with prescribed safety standards. Operating without a valid certificate is considered a serious violation of civil aviation regulations. Air India acknowledged receipt of the DGCA order and stated that the incident was voluntarily reported to the regulator in late 2025. In its statement, the airline said that “all identified gaps have since been satisfactorily addressed and shared with the authority.” An internal investigation by the carrier attributed the occurrence to “systemic failures” within its compliance and oversight mechanisms. Reports indicate that pilots involved in the flights did not fully adhere to standard operating procedures before take-off, pointing to weaknesses in procedural enforcement. The implicated Airbus A320, registered VT-TQN, was returned to service after maintenance work during which its ARC inadvertently expired. The lapse remained unrecognised until flagged by engineering personnel, after which the aircraft was grounded and the matter reported to the DGCA. The fine comes amid heightened scrutiny of Air India’s safety culture, following a fatal Boeing 787 Dreamliner crash in June 2025 that claimed 260 lives. That accident triggered intensified surveillance by regulators and industry stakeholders.

DGCA Fines Air India ₹1 Crore For Flying A320 Eight Times Without Valid ARC Permit

Aviation Today News Desk / February 16, 2026

Delhi, India: India’s civil aviation regulator has penalised Air India with a $110,350 (about ₹1 crore) fine after an Airbus […]

New Delhi, India: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has grounded an Air India Airbus A320 aircraft and launched a formal investigation after it was found to have operated eight commercial flights without a valid Airworthiness Review Certificate (ARC). The lapse was discovered during a routine night‑halt inspection by an engineer, who noticed the aircraft’s ARC had expired. The certificate is mandatory to ensure the aircraft meets maintenance and safety standards before any flight. DGCA officials confirmed the aircraft had flown eight “revenue sectors” on 24–25 November 2025, despite the absence of a valid ARC. Flying without this certificate is considered a serious compliance violation as it directly pertains to flight safety. Following the discovery, DGCA immediately grounded the aircraft and suspended all personnel responsible for approving its release to service pending the outcome of the investigation. The regulator has also instructed Air India to conduct an internal compliance audit to identify systemic gaps and prevent future lapses. In a statement, Air India acknowledged the incident, calling it “regrettable.” The airline said it self-reported the breach to DGCA, suspended the staff involved, and initiated its own internal investigation. It reaffirmed its commitment to strict safety and regulatory compliance. Operating an aircraft without a valid airworthiness certificate poses significant safety risks and could potentially impact insurance coverage for the aircraft, including hull, liability, and passenger insurance. It has been described as a Level‑1 violation, the most serious type of compliance failure concerning aircraft safety standards. The aircraft was part of the former Vistara fleet, which merged with Air India in late 2024. After the merger, DGCA renewed ARCs for 69 of 70 aircraft. The 70th aircraft, which later operated eight sectors, had undergone an engine change, during which its ARC expired. Despite this, it was mistakenly released into service. DGCA’s inquiry will determine whether penalties, fines, or further actions against responsible personnel are warranted. Air India’s internal investigation will also examine systemic compliance gaps and recommend measures to prevent recurrence.

DGCA Grounds Air India A320 After Aircraft Operates Eight Flights Without Valid ARC

Aviation Today News Desk / December 3, 2025

New Delhi, India: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has grounded an Air India Airbus A320 aircraft and launched

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: AutoFlight has strengthened its foothold in the Middle East after Falcon Aviation Services placed an order for 50 of the company’s electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The agreement, signed on October 27, 2025, positions Falcon as one of the first regional operators preparing large-scale deployment of eVTOL platforms for industrial and mobility missions. The order includes 15 V2000CG “CarryAll” cargo aircraft and 35 V2000EM “Prosperity” passenger aircraft, with the first deliveries expected by the end of 2025. Falcon intends to use the fleet to support operations for the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), signalling a shift towards low-emission, high-efficiency aerial support in the energy sector. AutoFlight’s cargo model, the CarryAll, has already achieved a full suite of airworthiness approvals from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) including the Type Certificate, Production Certificate and individual Airworthiness Certificates. The aircraft has also entered commercial service in China following delivery to Heli Chuangxing Intelligent, marking one of the first certified heavy-lift eVTOL deployments globally. The passenger-focused Prosperity model remains in its verification and regulatory testing phase. AutoFlight is working toward passenger-operation certification in multiple jurisdictions, a process that will determine the pace of Falcon’s full-scale rollout in the UAE. Falcon Aviation Services said the partnership aligns with its long-term strategy to modernise its mobility capabilities and expand its role in advanced air mobility (AAM) across the region. The company operates a broad portfolio of charter, offshore support, aircraft management and MRO services across the Middle East and Africa.

Falcon Aviation Orders 50 AutoFlight eVTOLs To Support ADNOC’s Expanding Operations

Aviation Today News Desk / November 20, 2025

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: AutoFlight has strengthened its foothold in the Middle East after Falcon Aviation Services placed an

Washington, United States: The U.S. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed a civil penalty of $3.1 million against Boeing for what it described as “widespread quality system violations” linked to the company’s 737 production line. The enforcement action covers violations identified between September 2023 and February 2024 at Boeing’s Renton, Washington facility and at Spirit AeroSystems’ plant in Wichita, Kansas. According to the FAA, Boeing presented two aircraft as airworthy for certification even though they did not meet all applicable safety requirements, and in some cases pressured employees to approve work to meet production deadlines. “The safety of the flying public is our top priority, and we will hold Boeing accountable for meeting regulatory standards,” the FAA said in a statement, noting that Boeing has 30 days to respond to the proposed penalty. The proposed fine comes months after a highly publicized incident in January 2024 when a door plug panel blew off an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 shortly after takeoff, forcing an emergency landing. One flight attendant and 7 passengers received minor injuries, the captain, the first officer, 3 flight attendants, and 164 passengers were uninjured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The event triggered a temporary grounding of MAX 9 jets and intensified scrutiny of Boeing’s quality control processes. A detailed FAA investigation uncovered hundreds of quality lapses, including incomplete documentation, improper inspections, and non-compliant parts. The agency also flagged systemic problems within Boeing’s Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) program, which allows company employees to perform certain certification tasks on behalf of the FAA. Boeing, in its response, said it is reviewing the FAA’s notice and reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening quality oversight,“We have implemented a comprehensive safety and quality improvement plan, including expanded employee training and enhanced supplier oversight,” a Boeing spokesperson said, adding that the company will continue cooperating with regulators. Boeing has until mid-October to formally respond, after which the FAA could negotiate a settlement or pursue enforcement proceedings. Alongside the regulatory action the FAA has approved Type Inspection Authorization (TIA) Phase 2D for Boeing’s 777-9 model, advancing the aircraft’s certification process. This phase includes community noise tests to be carried out in Glasgow, Montana. So far, the 777X test fleet (including the 777-9) has logged over 1,500 flights and nearly 4,200 flight hours. The next major step TIA Phase 3 will include evaluations of the auxiliary power unit (APU) performance and overall stability, although a start date for Phase 3 has not yet been announced. The 777-9 is currently expected to be delivered first to Lufthansa in mid-2026.

FAA Slaps Boeing With $3.1M Penalty for Over Safety Lapses in 737 Production

Aviation Today News Desk / September 15, 2025

Washington, United States: The U.S. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed a civil penalty of $3.1 million against Boeing

Follow Us

Facebook-f Instagram Linkedin-in X-twitter Youtube

AVIATION TODAY brings the latest in aviation and aims to cater information to professionals and Aviation Enthusiasts about the Industry.

Quick Links

About Us
Contact Us
Services
Advertise
FAQ

Navigate

Latest News
Civil Aviation
Pilot Training
Flight School Analysis
Aviation Jobs
Training

General Support

info@aviationtoday.in

News Desk Support

news@aviationtoday.in

Follow Us

Facebook-f Instagram Linkedin-in X-twitter Youtube

© Copyright 2026 Aviation Today. All rights reserved.

Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
Disclaimer

error: Unauthorized copying is not permitted

Search

About Us
News
Pilot Training
Civil Aviation
Flight School Analysis
Aviation Jobs
Training
Services
More
Contact Us
Advertisement

Aviation Newsletter

Facebook Instagram Linkedin X-twitter Youtube