India DGCA Warns Air India Overdue Emergency Equipment Checks

India's aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has issued warnings to Air India for operating three Airbus aircraft with overdue inspections on critical emergency escape slides, highlighting systemic control failures and slow response to safety concerns. The inspections were delayed by periods ranging from days to over three months, during which the planes operated on domestic and international routes, violating airworthiness standards. Air India, now under Tata Group ownership, is accelerating its verification of maintenance records following these findings, which are separate from a recent Boeing 787-8 crash that killed 241 people. The investigation into the crash is ongoing, with authorities analyzing black boxes, pilot training records, aircraft loading, and engine performance, with support from international experts. Meanwhile, chronic understaffing at key Indian aviation bodies, including the DGCA and Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), raises concerns about effective enforcement of safety standards. The combined safety lapses and regulatory challenges intensify scrutiny on Air India’s operational credibility and India's aviation oversight capabilities.