The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has cautioned Air India against lapses in adhering to flight time limits, after finding two international services exceeding the permitted operational hours.
According to a warning letter, the aviation regulator observed that flights AI133 on the Bengaluru–London route, operated on May 16 and 17, 2025, each surpassed the Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) ceiling of 10 hours under Section 7, Series J, Part III.
The DGCA noted that the airline’s Accountable Manager failed to ensure compliance with provisions in Annexure III of the CARs, which govern operational oversight. A show-cause notice was issued on June 20, 2025 under the Enforcement Policy and Procedures Manual.
“During a spot check it was observed that Air India operated flights AI133 on May 16 and 17, 2025, both of which surpassed the 10-hour maximum flight time prescribed under Para 6.1.3…,” the DGCA stated.
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Following its review of Air India’s reply, the regulator described the response as “unsatisfactory in addressing the regulatory lapses and deficiencies noted” and warned the Accountable Manager to exercise “utmost diligence” in ensuring compliance with aviation norms.
The airline, in its defence, said the breaches arose from “a different interpretation of a permission… to mitigate the border related airspace closure” and stressed that the issue was “corrected immediately” once clarified.
Air India added: “Air India remains fully compliant with the rules.”
The CAR rules on flight time limitations exist to safeguard crew alertness and passenger safety, reflecting international standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). Regulators have in the past taken punitive action against operators for breaching these limits.
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