DGCA issues show cause notice to Air India for non-compliance with passenger-centric regulations

New Delhi: Signalling its unwavering dedication to safeguarding passenger interests, aviation watchdog DGCA has issued a "show cause notice" to Air India for non-compliance of passenger-centric regulations.

"The DGCA has consistently emphasised the importance of providing a high standard of passenger care during flight disruptions, including denied boardings, flight cancellations, and delays," said a senior official.

"To enforce these regulations effectively, DGCA issued the CAR Section-3, Series M part IV titled Facilities to be provided to passengers by airlines due to denied boarding, cancellation of flights, and delays in flights" in 2010, which has been revised periodically to align with global best practices," said the official.

Since May 2023, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has been conducting inspections of scheduled domestic airlines at major airports to ensure the adherence of airlines to these passenger-centric regulations.

"During these inspections, it was observed that Air India was not fully compliant with the provisions of the CAR. Consequently, a Show Cause Notice has been issued to Air India, prompting the airline to explain its non-compliance with the regulations and take corrective measures," said the official.

Similar inspections had earlier been carried out at major airports last year also and on ground of similar non-compliance by Air India with the provisions of CAR on Denied Boarding of passengers, a penalty of Rs 10,00,000 (Rs ten lakh) was imposed on Air India for the violations.