DGCA Imposes Rs 10 Lakh Fine On Air India Again; Know Why

New Delhi: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has imposed a fine of Rs 10 lakh on Air India for not complying with rules.

This is the second time in less than two years that the country’s civil aviation regulator has imposed a fine of Rs 10 lakh on the airline.

DGCA said on Wednesday it had carried out inspections of all operators at Delhi, Kochi and Bangalore airports in May and September to ascertain whether they are discharging their obligations related to facilities and compensations to passengers as per provisions laid down by DGCA.

“During the inspections of the airlines, it was observed that Air India was not complying with the provisions of the relevant Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR),” a DGCA official stated.

A showcause notice was issued to Air India on November 3, seeking its response for non-compliance of provisions of relevant regulations.

The regulator on Wednesday imposed Rs 10 lakh penalty on AI on this ground for these reasons as well as not compensating business class passengers made to travel on unserviceable seats.

“Based on the reply submitted by Air India, the DGCA found that Air India has not complied with the provisions of the CAR, inter-alia, not providing hotel accommodation for passengers affected by delayed flights, non-training of some of their ground personnel as per the stipulations laid down in the CAR and non-payment of compensation to international business class passengers who were made to travel on unserviceable seats,” the official elaborated.

Air India has not yet commented on the matter.

Last year also, DGCA had fined Air India Rs 10 lakh for violating rules for denying boarding and had ordered the airline to immediately put systems in place to resolve the issue.