'Regrettable': Air India on aircraft flying without airworthiness review certificate

The airline said that as soon as the issue was noticed, it was immediately reported to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

Published on: Dec 3, 2025, 10:41:24 IST

By Shivya Kanojia

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Air India on Wednesday said that one of its aircraft was operated without a valid airworthiness review certificate, describing the incident as “regrettable.”

All personnel involved in the decision to operate the aircraft have been suspended pending further review. (Bloomberg/File)

In a statement, the airline said, "Air India remains unwavering in its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of operational integrity and safety, and any deviation from mandated compliance protocols is treated with the utmost seriousness and is unacceptable to the organisation."

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The airline added that as soon as the issue was noticed, it was immediately reported to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). All personnel involved in the decision to operate the aircraft have been suspended pending further review.

"We have initiated a comprehensive internal investigation and are fully cooperating with the regulator," an Air India spokesperson was quoted as saying by ANI.

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The incident comes as Air India continues to deal with the fallout from the June crash of a Boeing Dreamliner that killed 260 people, as well as financial losses caused by an airspace ban imposed on Indian airlines by Pakistan. Air India has also been repeatedly warned by the DGCA this year over safety lapses.

An airworthiness review certificate is issued after a thorough assessment of an aircraft’s maintenance records, physical condition, and regulatory compliance. Operating without one is considered a serious violation of aviation rules.

The lapse occurs at a time when the global aviation sector is under increasing pressure over maintenance and safety standards. Recently, Airbus flagged a quality issue involving fuselage panels, although the affected aircraft are not yet in service. Worldwide Airbus fleets had only just resumed operations following urgent software updates to fix a flight-control vulnerability.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shivya Kanojia
Shivya Kanojia is a journalist at Hindustan Times, where she works in the fast-paced digital news ecosystem with a strong sense of editorial judgement and a clear understanding of what makes a story both important and traffic-driven. An alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Shivya brings a thoughtful balance of news value and audience relevance to her work, ensuring stories resonate beyond the immediate headline. Over the course of her three-year journey in the digital news space, Shivya has worked across a wide range of beats, including politics, civic issues, human-interest features and trending news. This diverse exposure has shaped her ability to approach stories with nuance, adaptability and context, whether she is breaking down complex developments or spotlighting everyday narratives that often go unnoticed. She is particularly drawn to human-interest stories, interviews and explainers that offer depth and clarity, aiming to move past surface-level reporting to explore the people, emotions and circumstances behind the news. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Shivya worked with Firstpost and Times Now, where she covered a broad spectrum of topics and honed her skills in digital journalism . Outside the newsroom, Shivya enjoys discovering new cafés, drawn to good coffee, cosy spaces and unhurried conversations. Shopping is another pastime she cherishes, not always out of necessity, but often guided by instinct and the simple joy of stumbling upon unexpected finds. Above all, she treasures time spent with loved ones, finding meaning in shared laughter, simple moments and memories that linger long after.Read More

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