Air India Express Confesses to Engine Upkeep Lapse Following DGCA Rebuke, Affirms Solution Implementation
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has reprimanded Air India Express for failing to replace engine parts on an Airbus A320 within the mandatory timeframe required by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
During a routine audit in October 2024, the DGCA discovered that Air India Express did not carry out the component replacement on time and allegedly altered or forged maintenance records in the Aircraft Maintenance and Engineering Operating System (AMOS) to show false compliance.
Air India Express acknowledged the lapse and attributed the delay to a migration of records within its monitoring software, which caused the technical team to miss the deadline. The airline said it fixed the problem soon after discovery and took remedial and preventive actions, including removing the quality manager and suspending the deputy continuing airworthiness manager.
The DGCA also raised concerns over possible tampering of records in Air India Express's AMOS. The violations were formally communicated to Air India Express in March 2025.
Experts have described the lapse as a serious safety concern, emphasizing that such issues should be fixed immediately due to increased risks, especially when flying over seas or near restricted airspace. The aircraft involved made only a few flights after the deadline had passed, but the failure to timely replace critical engine components and falsification of records raises grave safety implications.
Following the DGCA memo, the airline has taken administrative steps, but it did not directly respond to the allegations of forged records. The lapse is part of wider regulatory scrutiny, with DGCA issuing warnings or penalties to multiple airlines, including Air India Express, for safety violations in the previous year.
Air India Express is currently undergoing fleet expansion and integration with AIX Connect (formerly AirAsia India). The tragic June crash of the Air India Dreamliner in Ahmedabad in 2023 was a separate incident from the violations discovered in the DGCA audit. The safety lapse predates the tragic crash.
In summary, the DGCA found Air India Express delayed engine parts replacement on Airbus A320 beyond EASA deadlines, and maintenance records were reportedly altered or forged to falsely indicate compliance. The airline admitted the lapse, blamed it on software record migration, and fixed the issue promptly. Administrative actions were taken against responsible personnel within the airline. Aviation experts stress the lapse poses significant safety risks, and the case highlights ongoing regulatory enforcement on Indian airlines regarding airworthiness compliance.
[1] The Economic Times, "DGCA finds safety violations in Air India Express, asks for action against responsible personnel," 2025. [2] Times of India, "Air India Express faces DGCA scrutiny for alleged record alteration," 2025. [3] Business Standard, "Air India Express under DGCA scanner for delayed engine maintenance and record alteration," 2025. [4] Hindustan Times, "Air India Express faces record alteration charges, DGCA orders action against responsible personnel," 2025.
- The issue of delayed component replacement on Airbus A320 aircraft and allegedly forged maintenance records in the Aircraft Maintenance and Engineering Operating System (AMOS) is a serious concern that underscores the importance of adhering to technology-based regulations set by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
- Experts suggest that the airline industry must recognize the critical role of technology in maintaining safety standards, as even minor lapses can have significant implications, particularly when flying over seas or near restricted airspace.
