Air India A320 Grounded By DGCA After Operating Eight Flights Without Valid Airworthiness Certificate In Serious Compliance Violation

Published on December 4, 2025

Air India Airbus A320 Grounded After Operating Without Valid Airworthiness Certificate

New Delhi, India – A serious safety breach has led the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to ground an Air India Airbus A320 and initiate a full-scale investigation. The airline’s aircraft had operated eight commercial flights without a valid Airworthiness Review Certificate (ARC), a critical certification required for flight operations to ensure maintenance and safety standards are met.

The issue came to light during a routine inspection carried out by an engineer during a night halt. The engineer noticed that the aircraft’s ARC had expired, triggering an immediate response from the DGCA. According to the DGCA, the aircraft operated a total of eight commercial flights on November 24 and 25, 2025, without the mandatory certification, which is a direct violation of aviation safety protocols.

The Importance of the Airworthiness Review Certificate

An Airworthiness Review Certificate is an essential document for any aircraft to be cleared for flight. It serves as an assurance that the aircraft meets all the required safety, maintenance, and operational standards. The lapse in obtaining a valid ARC is a serious matter as it directly affects the safety of both passengers and crew on board. The ARC must be renewed periodically and confirms that the aircraft is fit for flight.

Flying without a valid ARC is a violation of aviation regulations and is classified as a Level-1 compliance failure, which is the most severe type of non-compliance when it comes to aircraft safety. Such violations not only threaten flight safety but also raise concerns regarding the legality of flight operations, potentially impacting insurance coverage for the aircraft, including hull, liability, and passenger insurance.

Immediate Actions Taken by the DGCA and Air India

Upon discovering the violation, the DGCA took swift action. The Airbus A320 in question was immediately grounded, and all personnel who were responsible for approving its release to service were suspended, pending the investigation. The DGCA also instructed Air India to conduct an internal audit of its operational and compliance procedures to identify and address any systemic issues that may have contributed to the breach.

In a statement, Air India acknowledged the incident and expressed regret over the lapse. The airline confirmed that it had self-reported the issue to the DGCA and suspended the staff members responsible for the violation. Air India also announced that an internal investigation had been initiated to further assess the situation. The airline emphasized that it remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety and regulatory compliance.

The Aircraft’s History and Previous Operations

This Airbus A320 had previously been part of the Vistara fleet, which merged with Air India in late 2024. Following the merger, the DGCA renewed the ARCs for 69 out of 70 aircraft in the combined fleet. However, the 70th aircraft, which operated the eight flights in question, had undergone an engine change. During this maintenance procedure, the aircraft’s ARC expired and was inadvertently cleared for operation, despite the expired certificate.

The DGCA’s investigation will focus on determining the exact cause of the oversight and whether any further action, including penalties or fines, will be imposed on the personnel involved. The airline’s internal audit will also play a crucial role in understanding how such a lapse could occur and what steps are necessary to ensure that similar incidents are prevented in the future.

What’s Next for Air India?

The ongoing investigation by the DGCA will likely determine if further corrective actions are required, such as penalties, fines, or even more stringent measures against the individuals or teams involved. Air India has already taken steps to address the situation, with an internal audit to identify compliance gaps. The airline’s commitment to improving its internal procedures is essential in restoring passenger trust and maintaining the integrity of its operations.

Moving forward, it is essential for Air India to reinforce its compliance culture and ensure that all aircraft meet the necessary regulatory standards before being released for flight. This incident highlights the critical need for adherence to aviation safety protocols and the importance of continuous monitoring to avoid lapses in safety certification.

The DGCA’s investigation will ultimately determine whether Air India faces any legal consequences for its failure to ensure the aircraft was properly certified. However, the airline’s willingness to self-report the issue and take swift action to suspend involved personnel suggests a commitment to learning from the incident and maintaining its focus on safety.

Conclusion

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of rigorous compliance with aviation safety standards. Operating an aircraft without a valid ARC poses serious risks to passengers, crew, and the airline itself. Air India’s immediate grounding of the aircraft and the DGCA’s investigation demonstrate a proactive approach to ensuring the safety and security of air travel in India. As the investigation continues, both Air India and the DGCA are expected to take further actions to prevent future occurrences and maintain the high standards of safety required in the aviation industry.