DGCA reviews AI Express functioning

In the wake of the Mangalore aircrash, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has reviewed Air India Express’ compliance of rules and procedures on various key areas like operational safety, maintenance of aircraft and security.

An Air India Express Boeing 737-800 aircraft had overshot the runway and crashed into a ravine on May 22, killing 158 people on board. The review was carried out at a meeting last week by top officials of DGCA, including its chief Nasim Zaidi, and airline officials. The areas covered included operations, maintenance, safety, security and commercial, an airline official said. The DGCA asked AI to resolve issues like positioning of officers in operations, safety and training areas, putting pilots on the regular roll of AI Express, flight dispatch, crew rostering and monitoring of their Flight Duty Time Limitations. Other issues included the requirement for more mechanics, internal auditors and pre-flight medical checks.

Claiming that Air India Express management had already acted upon the advices, an airline spokesperson said the steps included issuance of an office order for appointment of the chief of operations, deputation of pilots for five years and deployment of trainee pilots undergoing training on Boeing 737s.k