Air India A320 Flies Eight Times With Expired Airworthiness Certificate: DGCA Launches Investigation

In a serious aviation incident, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an investigation into an Air India Airbus A320 that operated multiple flights without a valid airworthiness certificate last month.

The aircraft in question reportedly flew at least eight times with an expired airworthiness licence before the regulatory violation was discovered, leading to its immediate grounding. The A320 remains out of service pending the completion of the DGCA's investigation.

Aviation authorities consider operating an aircraft without valid certifications a major regulatory breach. The Certificate of Airworthiness, issued by the DGCA, requires annual renewal to verify an aircraft's flight safety condition.

Air India acknowledged the incident in an official statement, describing it as "regrettable" and confirming that all personnel involved in the decision have been suspended pending review. The airline has initiated a comprehensive internal investigation while cooperating fully with regulatory authorities.

"We remain unwavering in our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of operational integrity and safety," the Air India spokesperson stated, emphasizing that "any deviation from mandated compliance protocols is treated with utmost seriousness and is unacceptable to the organization."

This incident follows a tragic accident earlier this year when Air India Flight 171, traveling from Ahmedabad to London, crashed just 32 seconds after takeoff on June 12. The crash resulted in the deaths of all but one of the 241 people aboard, with an additional 19 fatalities and 67 serious injuries on the ground.

The airline has reported that approximately 95 percent of the families affected by the Flight 171 Dreamliner crash have received interim compensation.