After the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken strict action.
The civil aviation regulator has directed Air India to relieve three senior officers from all responsibilities related to crew duty scheduling and rosters.
This step comes in response to the deadly crash that claimed the lives of over 270 people.
What Did DGCA Say?
In its official order, the DGCA stated that Air India must start internal disciplinary proceedings against the three officers without delay and submit a detailed report within 10 days.
The officers have been removed from all operational duties and shifted to non-operational roles.
The DGCA clarified that until necessary improvements are made in crew scheduling processes, these officers will not be assigned any responsibilities that affect flight safety or crew management.
The three officials named in the DGCA action are:
Chura Singh – Divisional Vice President
Pinky Mittal – Chief Manager, Crew Scheduling (Directorate of Operations)
Payal Arora – Crew Scheduling (Planning)
DGCA Issues Strong Warning
The DGCA also warned that if any future inspections or audits reveal violations of rules related to crew scheduling, licensing, or flight timing, the airline could face serious consequences.
These may include heavy fines, suspension of licenses, or even cancellation of airline permissions.
What Happened in the Ahmedabad Crash?
On June 12, an Air India flight from Ahmedabad to London crashed shortly after takeoff. The aircraft crashed into the hostel building of BJ Medical College, causing a devastating accident.
Out of the 242 passengers onboard, 241 people lost their lives, with only one survivor.
Additionally, more than 20 people who were inside the medical college hostel also died in the crash.
