Lok Sabha Question No. 513 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-28
Subject: Penalty to Airlines
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri Eatala Rajender, Smt. D K Aruna, Shri Suresh Kumar Shetkar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION Lok Sabha

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 513

( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  28th November 2024 )

## PENALTY TO AIRLINES

513.    SHRI EATALA RAJENDER

SMT D K ARUNA

SHRI SURESH KUMAR SHETKAR

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a)  whether  the  DGCA  has  imposed  fines  on  Air  India  and  other airlines  during  the  last  10  years  for  flawed  pilot  pairings  that included  trainee  pilots  on  flight  in  some  sectors  and  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (b)  the  penalties  imposed/collected  from  various  airlines  in  the matter during the last 10 years;
- (c) whether it is a fact that the regulator didn't go into the detailed
- investigation despite finding several lapses;
- (d) if so, the reasons therefor; and
- (e)  the  corrective  steps  being  taken  to  avoid  such  incidents  in future?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL  AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar Mohol)

- (a)  &  (b):  During  last  10  years,  Director  General  of  Civil  Aviation (DGCA) has imposed fines on Air India for a flawed pilot pairing that included  trainee  pilots  on  flights  in  some  sectors.  Details  are  as follows:;
- (i)  DGCA  imposed  the  penalty  of  Rupees  Six  lakhs  on  the Director Operations, M/s Air India on 23.08.2024.
- (ii)  DGCA  imposed  the  penalty  of  Rupees  Three  Lakhs  on  the Director Training, M/s Air India. Additionally, a Six-month suspension order was  issued to the Director Training, M/s Air India on 23.08.2024.
- (iii)  DGCA  imposed  the  penalty  of  Rupees  Ninety  Lakhs  on  the Accountable Manager, M/s Air India on 23.08.2024.;

;

- (c)  &  (d):  No  Sir.  DGCA  has  undertaken  detailed  investigations including  examination  of  documentation  &  spot  check  of  M/s  Air India scheduling facility on 11th July, 2024.;

;

- (e): DGCA has taken the following steps to avoid such incidents in future;;

(i)  The  operators'  pilot  scheduling  system  has  been  reviewed  and the  operator  Air  India  has  been  advised  to  initiative  immediate corrective  action  to  avoid  pairing  of  a  trainee  pilot  with  a  normal pilot.  The  operator  was  directed  to  put  in  place  additional  check and  balances  to  avoid  such  mistakes.  The  operator  has  initiated adequate steps under the guidance of DGCA. Such steps include:;

1. Enhanced oversight of scheduling activities by senior managers,
2. Software lock to prevent junior rostering staff from overriding system restrictions and
3. Publication  of  advisory  to  crew  to  be  watchful  for  such mistakes.;

;

These steps are aimed at prevention of such mistakes in future.;

(i)  DGCA  has  sent  a  strong  message  by  imposing  penalties  and suspending a key post holder. This is to ensure that operator took the above corrective actions on priority.;

(ii)  DGCA  continues  to  monitor  the  operations  of  all  operators including Air India by way of audits, surveillances and spot checks.

The scheduling system is regularly being checked as part of such oversight, so as to prevent future errors.

- ******