Air India Turmoil: Two Pilots Flew Without Valid Licenses, DGCA Orders Probe

Published on: 02 Nov 2025 at 07:56 AM

Published by: Gill Bikram

Air India Turmoil: Two Pilots Flew Without Valid Licenses, DGCA Orders Probe

Major lapses in Air India’s scheduling and rostering system have come to light, revealing that two pilots — a senior captain and a co-pilot — operated commercial flights despite not meeting mandatory license requirements. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched an investigation into the incidents and sought a detailed report from the airline.

✈️ Two Separate Incidents

1. The Co-Pilot Case (Failed PPC Test)
Violation: The co-pilot reportedly failed the most recent biennial Pilot Proficiency Check (PPC), which includes the Instrument Rating test (IR-PPC) — a mandatory evaluation for active pilots.

According to aviation rules, any pilot who fails the PPC must undergo remedial training and re-qualification before resuming flight duties. However, this Airbus A320 co-pilot allegedly operated a flight without completing the required training.

Air India’s Action:
A company spokesperson stated that upon discovering the error, both the crew scheduler and the co-pilot were immediately grounded. Disciplinary proceedings have been initiated, and the airline has assured full cooperation with the DGCA investigation.

2. The Senior Captain Case (Expired ELP Certification)
Violation: In another case, a senior Air India commander flew as pilot-in-command of an A320 aircraft despite his English Language Proficiency (ELP) certification having expired.

Significance:
The ELP certificate is a fundamental requirement under DGCA regulations, ensuring that all licensed pilots possess adequate English communication skills for flight operations and international coordination.

Air India’s Action:
The airline confirmed that the senior captain has been immediately removed from the active flying roster. A departmental inquiry is underway to determine how the oversight occurred.

⚠️ DGCA’s Response

The DGCA has taken serious note of both violations and has sought a comprehensive explanation from Air India regarding its internal oversight and compliance mechanisms.

Aviation safety experts and senior pilots have raised concerns that these incidents expose deeper flaws in the airline’s monitoring systems and compliance checks. Notably, this is not the first time the regulator has flagged Air India’s operational lapses — a similar warning was issued about five months ago.