The Indian government has directed Air India to eliminate "backseat driving" within its crucial departments, emphasizing the need for designated post-holders to have the final authority in decision-making. This directive aims to ensure accountability and prevent individuals from becoming scapegoats while protecting those who may be exerting undue influence from behind the scenes.
The Union aviation ministry conveyed these key messages to Tata Sons and Air India Chairman N Chandrasekaran during a meeting that included Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha, and Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) chief Faiz Ahmed Kidwai. The focus of the meeting was to discuss and implement measures to improve the airline's safety standards. Chandrasekaran reportedly agreed to the suggestions put forth by the ministry.
The government's concern stems from observations that some departments, particularly those critical to safety such as safety, training, maintenance, engineering, and the Integrated Operation Control Centre (IOCC), have exhibited a "dichotomy". This refers to situations where the designated post-holder is not the one making the critical decisions, leading to a lack of clear accountability. Regulatory officials have noted instances where individuals were seemingly being set up as "scapegoats," while those truly in charge were not being held responsible.
This directive follows a series of safety concerns and incidents, including the Air India Flight 171 crash on June 12, which resulted in 260 fatalities. Preliminary investigations into the crash indicated that fuel control switches were set to cutoff during takeoff, prompting further scrutiny of the airline's operations. In addition to the fatal crash, there have been other incidents, such as an aircraft fire after landing, an aborted takeoff due to technical issues, and a flight veering off the runway.
In response to these incidents, the government has been holding direct meetings with Air India management, ordering the carrier to maintain the highest safety standards and setting a one-month timeline to reassess its operations. The DGCA has also sent multiple notices to Air India regarding violations related to crew duty and rest norms, as well as training protocols. These notices cite various violations, including insufficient rest periods for pilots, inadequate training for operations at high-altitude airports, and non-compliance with simulator training requirements.
The government's intervention reflects a commitment to supporting Air India in overcoming its challenges and realizing its full potential, potentially drawing on the expertise of Singapore Airlines. The goal is to restore passenger confidence and ensure that all airlines under the Air India Group meet the highest safety benchmarks. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has stepped up its scrutiny of Air India, with officials stating that the move is "precautionary" to ensure strict adherence to safety protocols.
The DGCA has conducted multiple safety audits of Air India in recent years, and while no major lapses were found, the regulator has followed up to ensure corrective steps were taken. The government has also issued show-cause notices to Air India for safety-related violations and has taken enforcement action in some cases. These actions have included fines, suspension of licenses, and withdrawal of approvals for post-holders. Air India has stated its commitment to the safety of its crew and passengers and has indicated that it will respond to the notices within the stipulated time.
