[aviation news]
Air India Express, a low-cost subsidiary of Air India, has been reprimanded by India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for failing to comply with a critical European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) airworthiness directive.
The issue centers on the airline’s delay in replacing engine parts on one of its Airbus A320 aircraft, raising serious concerns about safety compliance and maintenance practices in India’s rapidly expanding aviation sector.
The EASA Directive and Its Importance
In May 2023, EASA issued Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-0108, targeting CFM International LEAP-1A engines used in some Airbus A320 aircraft.
The directive mandated the replacement of critical engine components, including high-pressure turbine (HPT) stage 1 disks, forward outer seals, and compressor rotor stages 6–10 spools.
These parts were identified as having manufacturing defects due to iron contamination, which could weaken their structural integrity.
EASA warned that failure to replace these components risked “high energy debris release,” potentially causing catastrophic damage to the aircraft and loss of control.
This AD was a proactive measure to ensure passenger safety and prevent in-flight emergencies.
Air India Express’ Non-Compliance
The DGCA’s October 2024 audit uncovered that Air India Express failed to meet the deadline for replacing these engine parts on one of its Airbus A320 aircraft, registered as VT-ATD. This aircraft operates domestic routes and international flights to destinations like Dubai and Muscat.
A confidential government memo revealed that the airline had “apparently altered/forged” records in its Aircraft Maintenance and Engineering Operating System (AMOS) to falsely indicate compliance with the EASA directive.
This lapse was attributed to a failure in quality control by the airline’s accountable manager, highlighting a significant breach in safety protocols.
Air India Express acknowledged the oversight, attributing it to a “migration of records” in its monitoring software. This had caused the technical team to miss the replacement deadline for one of two affected engines.
The airline claimed it rectified the issue “as soon as it was identified” and took remedial actions. This included removing the quality manager and suspending the deputy continuing airworthiness manager.
However, the airline did not address the DGCA’s allegations of falsified records or provide specific compliance dates. This raised questions about transparency.
Implications for Air India Group
This incident, first reported on March 18, 2025, comes amid heightened scrutiny of Air India Group’s safety practices. It follows in the wake of the tragic June 2025 crash of an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner in Ahmedabad. The accident resulted in the deaths of 241 people on board and 19 on the ground.
While unrelated to the Airbus A320 issue, the crash has intensified focus on the airline group’s maintenance and compliance standards. This is especially so as it integrates AIX Connect (formerly AirAsia India) and expands its fleet.
Experts, including Vibhuti Singh, a former legal expert at India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, have called the lapse “a grave mistake.”
Singh emphasized that such issues must be addressed immediately. This is particularly relevant for aircraft operating overseas or near restricted airspace, where risks are amplified.
The DGCA’s prior warnings to Air India Express in 2024 have cited other safety violations. These included overdue escape slide checks and pilot duty time breaches. The latest AD oversight suggests further systemic challenges in the airline’s safety governance.
Regulatory and Industry Response
Following the Reuters report on July 4, 2025, EASA announced it would collaborate with CFM International and the DGCA to investigate the matter further.
Neither Airbus nor CFM International responded to inquiries, and the DGCA also declined to comment. A source familiar with the issue noted that the affected Airbus A320 made only a few trips after the missed deadline.
Conclusion
The incident has sparked calls for stricter regulatory oversight in India’s aviation sector.
As India’s aviation industry grows, incidents like this highlight the need for robust safety protocols and transparent compliance. Air India Express must address these lapses to rebuild trust and ensure passenger safety.
The DGCA’s ongoing oversight and EASA’s investigation will be critical in holding the airline accountable and preventing future violations.
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