Air India Operated A320 Eight Times with Expired Airworthiness Certificate

Tata-operated Air India is facing a serious safety investigation after it reportedly operated an Airbus A320 aircraft eight times across two days, 24th and 25th November, with an expired Airworthiness Review Certificate (ARC). This certificate is a legal safety clearance confirming an aircraft's fitness to fly. Hundreds of passengers were on board these flights, which should not have taken off without a valid ARC.

The lapse was not detected by automated safety checks but was flagged during a manual review by an engineer, leading to the immediate grounding of the aircraft. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Indias aviation regulator, has launched an investigation, promising strict action.

Aviation experts have highlighted this as a significant oversight, questioning the failure of multiple checks across operations, engineering, and compliance teams within the airline. The incident has drawn criticism regarding Air India’s safety protocols amidst its ongoing transformation.