DGCA Begins Intensive Audit of Air India’s Gurugram Headquarters Amid Safety Concerns

Gurugram, June 23, 2025 – In a move signaling heightened regulatory scrutiny, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a comprehensive audit of Air India’s main base in Gurugram. The intensified inspection began on June 24 and will continue through June 26, with a special eight-member team assigned—significantly larger than the usual three-member crew.

Although the audit had been scheduled before the tragic crash of AI171 in Ahmedabad on June 12, the incident has added urgency to the review process. Officials said the DGCA will examine all critical operational aspects including flight planning, rostering practices, airworthiness checks, crew scheduling, and functioning of the Integrated Operations Control Centre (IOCC).

This audit is part of the DGCA’s updated annual surveillance programme and includes a detailed review of Air India’s Safety Management System (SMS), standard operating procedures, and overall regulatory compliance.

The regulator’s focus has sharpened in recent months following multiple safety warnings and procedural lapses. These included a show-cause notice issued over violations in flight duty time regulations and reported cases of aircraft operating with unchecked or expired emergency escape slides.

Sources say the DGCA has also requested detailed records dating back to 2024 to assess whether there are any patterns of non-compliance or negligence. Officials emphasize this 360-degree audit aims to prevent incidents and restore public confidence in India’s national carrier.

Air India, which confirmed the audit, stated that it is cooperating fully with the DGCA. The airline’s management has reiterated its commitment to the highest standards of safety and said the findings would be used to reinforce operational safeguards across its network.

The results of this inspection could carry serious implications not only for Air India’s compliance standing but also for its future growth plans, especially as the airline undergoes restructuring under the Tata Group.