Photo credit Air India
By Kumar Vikram
New Delhi, November 22: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has imposed a fine of Rs 10 lakhs on Air India for its failure to comply with regulations set by the aviation watchdog.
The penalty comes after DGCA conducted inspections at Delhi, Kochi, and Bangalore airports during the months of May and September 2023. The purpose of these inspections was to evaluate the adherence of Scheduled Domestic Operators to DGCA regulations regarding facilities and compensation provided to passengers.
During the inspections, it was evident that Air India was not in compliance with the provisions of the relevant Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR). Subsequently, on 3rd November 2023, DGCA issued a Show Cause Notice to Air India, prompting the airline to provide an explanation for its non-compliance with the specified regulations.
Upon reviewing Air India’s response, DGCA found significant lapses, including the failure to provide hotel accommodation for passengers affected by delayed flights, the absence of training for some ground personnel as per CAR stipulations, and the non-payment of compensation to international business class passengers who were inconvenienced by traveling on unserviceable seats.
“Based on the reply submitted by Air India, it was found that M/s Air India has not complied with the provisions of the CAR, inter-alia, not providing hotel accommodation for passengers affected by delayed flights, non-training of some of their ground personnel as per the stipulations laid down in the CAR and non-payment of compensation to international business class passengers who were made to travel on unserviceable seats,” said a statement by the regulator.
In light of these findings, DGCA has taken a stern stance by imposing a financial penalty of Rs 10 lakhs on Air India. This penalty is a clear indication of the regulator’s commitment to enforcing stringent compliance with aviation regulations to ensure the safety, convenience, and rights of passengers.
This incident is not isolated, as it follows a series of recent regulatory violations by various airlines operating in India. The aviation industry has witnessed many non-compliance cases, raising concerns about the need for heightened oversight and enforcement measures.
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