DGCA Conducts High-Level Meeting with Air India and Air India Express on Safety Protocols

The Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) recently held a high-level meeting with Air India and Air India Express to evaluate safety protocols and operational resilience. This meeting comes in the wake of a tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad that resulted in significant loss of life. Key discussions included the need for improved defect reporting mechanisms and a review of operational data, particularly concerning the Boeing 787 fleet. The DGCA emphasized the importance of regulatory compliance and enhancing operational reliability to ensure passenger safety.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 17, 2025, 22:11 IST

DGCA's Meeting with Air India Officials

On Tuesday, the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) convened a significant meeting with top officials from Air India and Air India Express, which together manage over 1,000 flights daily on both domestic and international routes.

The primary aim of this meeting was to evaluate the operational resilience of the airlines and to reaffirm their commitment to safety standards and passenger service regulations. During the discussion, seven critical focus areas were identified, emphasizing the importance of regulatory compliance and improving operational reliability.

The DGCA reported that from June 12 to June 17, 2025, a total of 83 flights were canceled in Air India’s wide-body operations, with 66 of these being Boeing 787 flights.

To improve safety and operational efficiency, the regulator suggested establishing a more organized and real-time defect reporting system. This initiative aims to ensure that departments critical to operations and safety receive timely information, thereby enhancing decision-making and minimizing disruptions.

The meeting also included a review of recent operational statistics for Air India’s wide-body fleet, particularly focusing on the Boeing 787 aircraft.

This meeting was prompted by the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, which resulted in the loss of 270 lives.

The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, bound for London, crashed into a hostel complex shortly after departing from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, claiming the lives of 241 passengers and crew members, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.