New Delhi, December 2, 2025: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has begun a formal investigation after Air India disclosed that one of its A320-neo aircraft operated eight flights despite an expired Airworthiness Review Certificate. The airline informed the regulator on November 26 that the plane flew several commercial routes on November 24 and 25 without the mandatory safety clearance.
An ARC must be renewed every year after a detailed examination of maintenance records and physical inspections. Operating an aircraft without this approval is considered a serious violation of aviation safety rules. The DGCA has grounded the aircraft and taken the crew and staff involved off duty while the inquiry proceeds.
Air India called the lapse “unfortunate” and said it has initiated an internal review to determine how the oversight occurred. The carrier also assured full cooperation with the regulator. Aviation experts say flying without a valid ARC poses major risks, including potential insurance complications and regulatory penalties.
The incident has renewed concerns about procedural lapses in the aviation sector and highlighted the importance of strict compliance with safety norms, especially for commercial fleets carrying thousands of passengers daily.
