Air India reveals systemic failures after flying Airbus A320 without permit

Air India's internal investigation has uncovered "systemic failures" after one of its Airbus A320 aircraft operated eight commercial flights without a mandatory airworthiness permit. The airline has acknowledged significant shortcomings in its compliance culture, committing to urgent improvements following the incident. This revelation comes as the carrier faces increased scrutiny over its operational safety protocols. The affected Airbus A320 transported passengers between New Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Hyderabad on November 24 and 25, 2025, lacking a valid Airworthiness Review Certificate (ARC). This annual permit is crucial, issued by regulators after comprehensive safety and compliance checks. The airline's probe identified that both engineers and pilots failed to verify the aircraft's documentation, with critical information not being shared among relevant stakeholders, leading to missed opportunities for intervention. The internal report, dated December 6, explicitly called for urgent improvements in process discipline, communication, and overall compliance culture. The findings, submitted to Indian aviation authorities by Chief Operations Officer Captain Basil Kwauk, highlight a persistent pattern of compliance challenges at Air India. The airline, co-owned by India's Tata Group and Singapore Airlines, has previously received warnings from the Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for various lapses, including operating planes without checking emergency equipment, delayed engine part replacements, and falsifying records. Following the November incident, the Indian DGCA grounded the A320 and initiated its own investigation, while Air India stated it has implemented immediate preventative measures and suspended some personnel.