The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has suspended the licence for Air India’s Boeing simulator training centre in Mumbai over discrepancies in the certification of instructors who operate the simulators.
The suspension was ordered on August 30, 2023, after a routine audit by the DGCA revealed that some of the instructors at the facility did not have the required qualifications or experience.
The suspension means that all training, including recurrence checks, at the Mumbai simulator training centre has been halted. Air India has not commented on the suspension, but it is likely that the airline will need to take steps to address the shortcomings identified by the DGCA before the licence can be reinstated.
The Mumbai simulator training centre is the smaller of two simulator facilities owned by Air India. The larger facility is the Central Training Establishment (CTE) in Hyderabad. Air India’s Boeing fleet comprises seven B777-200(LR)s, fourteen B777-300(ER)s, and twenty-seven B787-8s. Air India Express (IX, Mumbai International) operates twenty-six B737-800s. The carrier has 140 B737-8s, fifty B737-10s, ten B777-9s, and twenty B787-9s on order from the US manufacturer.
The suspension of Air India’s simulator licence is a significant setback for the airline. The simulators are used to train pilots on the operation of Boeing aircraft, and the suspension means that Air India will not be able to train new pilots or conduct refresher training for existing pilots. This could impact the airline’s ability to operate its Boeing aircraft safely and efficiently.
The DGCA is the aviation regulatory body in India. It is responsible for ensuring the safety of civil aviation in India. The DGCA has the power to suspend or revoke the licences of airlines and other aviation entities if they are found to be operating in a non-compliant manner.
The suspension of Air India’s simulator licence is a reminder of the importance of compliance with aviation regulations. Airlines and other aviation entities must ensure that they are operating in a safe and compliant manner in order to protect the safety of passengers and crew.
The DGCA has said that it will not hesitate to take further action against Air India if the airline does not take steps to address the shortcomings identified in the audit. The airline has said that it is committed to ensuring the safety of its operations and that it is working with the DGCA to resolve the issue.
