Air India Express under fire, in a major blow to India’s aviation credibility, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has uncovered alarming safety lapses at Air India Express and its parent company Air India, both under the Tata Group. From delayed engine part replacements to possible forgery of maintenance records, these developments come at a time when public trust is already shaken by the deadly Boeing Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad last month.
Engine Fix Skipped – And Records Allegedly Forged: Air India Express Under Fire
One of the most concerning revelations:
- An Airbus A320 (VT-ATD) operated by Air India Express had critical engine components overdue for replacement.
- The parts in question were linked to a 2023 European Airworthiness Directive warning of “potential unsafe conditions”.
- Shockingly, DGCA’s audit revealed that records may have been forged in the airline’s maintenance software, AMOS, to falsely show the job had been completed on time.
“It’s a grave mistake. The risk increases when you’re flying over sea or near restricted airspace,” warned aviation law expert Vibhuti Singh.
Air India Express under fire and admitted to missing the scheduled replacement, citing a technical glitch during software migration. However, the airline has not directly responded to the forgery charge.
Safety Violations Pile Up Across Tata-Owned Airlines
The problems aren’t isolated to Air India Express:
- Air India was caught flying three Airbus aircraft with overdue escape slide checks.
- The airline was also reprimanded for breaching pilot duty time rules, a serious fatigue risk.
- The Ahmedabad crash, which killed 241 people, has brought these systemic issues into sharp focus.
A confidential government memo slammed the airline’s leadership, stating that the “accountable manager failed to ensure quality control.”
What This Means for Indian Aviation
With India aiming to be a global aviation hub, these findings are deeply troubling:
- Falsifying aircraft maintenance records isn’t just unethical—it’s dangerous.
- Failure to comply with global safety directives puts lives and national aviation credibility at stake.
- DGCA’s tougher stance is welcome—but is it enough?
What’s Next after Air India Express under fire?
The aviation regulator is still investigating the Ahmedabad crash, but one thing is clear: a deep cleanup is needed in how India’s flagship airlines manage safety.
Meanwhile, passengers are left asking: Can we still trust India’s skies?
Disclaimer : The post is based on the available information on reliable news sites and shared for information purpose only.