DGCA Issues Notice to Air India Over Boeing 787 Dreamliner Snags

January 1, 2026 at 05:10 AM•2 min read

DGCA issued a show-cause notice to Air India for allegedly operating a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner on June 28 despite repetitive technical snags and non-compliance with the Minimum

Key Points

1The DGCA issued a show-cause notice to Air India and its pilots on December 29 for safety violations.
2The notice specifically cited non-compliance with the Minimum Equipment List (MEL) for a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner flight on June 28.
3The regulator flagged that the aircraft was operated on the Delhi-Tokyo route despite prior knowledge of repetitive technical snags and system degradation.
4Air India and the crew have a 14-day window to provide an explanation before potential enforcement action is decided.

India's aviation safety regulator has issued a show-cause notice to Air India. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) sought an explanation from the carrier. This action concerns the operation of a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. The regulator flagged the use of the aircraft despite repetitive technical snags.

Regulatory Action Details

The DGCA notice was issued near the end of December. It specifically named the Dreamliner aircraft VT-ANI. The issues relate to flights AI-358 and AI-357. These flights operate on the long-haul Delhi-Tokyo route. The DGCA has also issued notices to the pilots involved. Both the airline and crew have 14 days to submit their responses.

Minimum Equipment List (MEL) Violation

The core issue is Minimum Equipment List non-compliance. The MEL dictates conditions for safe aircraft dispatch. It allows flight with certain inoperative components. The DGCA cited a specific non-compliance on June 28. This involved MEL “O” conditions on flight AI358. The snag was linked to the lower right recirculation fan. The regulator noted that snags were recorded across five previous sectors. This indicated a known history of system degradation.

Safety and Operational Impact

The DGCA raised serious safety concerns about aircraft dispatch safety. They questioned the flight crew decision-making. The crew allegedly accepted the plane despite prior knowledge of faults. The regulator stated the crew failed to assess the combined impact. Treating multiple inoperative systems in isolation is a violation. This approach undermines structured risk assessment.

This regulatory intervention highlights a focus on strict safety standards. The DGCA ensures airlines comply with operational requirements. The action comes amid heightened scrutiny of Indian airline safety practices. For more commercial aviation news and regulatory updates, visit our site. The regulator, similar to the FAA in the US, will decide on enforcement. Penalties could be initiated under Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR).