Summary
- India’s DGCA has issued a show-cause notice to Air India after a passenger’s death on one of its flights.
- Air India was instructed to respond within seven days and ensure sufficient availability of wheelchairs.
- In January 2024, Air India was fined over $132,000 for safety breaches on its ultra-long-haul Boeing 777 flights.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India’s civil aviation regulator, has reportedly issued a show-cause notice to Air India following the death of an 80-year-old passenger during one of its flights. According to a report from the Indian news agency ANI, India’s flag carrier has been instructed to provide a response to the DGCA within seven days.
The background
On February 12, 2024, an 80-year-old man who had flown in on Air India flight AI 116 from New York (JFK) accompanied by his wife collapsed and died at Mumbai Airport (BOM) in India. The passenger collapsed after walking approximately 1.5 kilometers from the aircraft to the immigration counter due to a lack of available wheelchairs, according to a report by New Indian.
Photo: Aerospace Trek | Shutterstock
Both the 80-year-old man and his wife requested wheelchairs but did not receive them. According to the ANI report, the airline had requested the passenger wait until he was provided with wheelchair assistance, but the passenger chose to walk along with his wife.
Following this incident, the DGCA issued a show-cause notice alleging Air India’s failure to comply with regulations and its violation of the Aircraft Rules, 1937. Specifically, the notice referred to Para 4.1.7 of the Civil Aviation Regulation (CAR), which states that airlines must offer assistance to passengers in need of such support.
Simple Flying has reached out to Air India for comment but has yet to receive a response at the time of publication. The DGCA has not only issued a notice to Air India but has also urged all airlines to guarantee a sufficient availability of wheelchairs for passengers needing assistance.
Recent Air India incidents
In January 2024, Air India was fined by the Indian aviation regulator for safety breaches observed on certain of its ultra-long-haul Boeing 777 flights. The concern centered on insufficient emergency oxygen supply aboard its newly leased 777 widebodies deployed on flights to the United States. The DGCA fined Air India over $132,000 for safety breaches.
Photo: Air India
The problem was isolated to Air India’s newly leased aircraft, formerly in service with Delta Air Lines. While Air India’s other 777s are adequately equipped with emergency oxygen for longer North American routes, the newly leased planes were found to be deficient in this aspect. The DGCA released a statement stating,
“Since the said operations of the leased aircraft were not in line with regulatory/ OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) performance limits, DGCA has initiated enforcement action and imposed a penalty of Rs 1.10 crore on Air India.”
Air India Derosters Pilot After Airbus A320’s Hard Landing In Dubai
The plane was grounded in Dubai for a week.
What are your thoughts on this incident? Let us know in the comments section.
