News
European regulator voices concern over Air India’s safety lapses following inspections
March 20th 2026
The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has expressed significant concerns about safety issues at Air India following extensive unannounced inspections conducted at various European airports, India’s aviation and defense outlet, SSBCrack News, reports. Read More » Sources said the inspections revealed a concerning ratio of safety findings per aircraft, which reached 1.96 in January. This prompted EASA to communicate its concerns to India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), leading to an intensified focus on the airline’s operations. According to the regulations, if the ratio exceeds 2, Air India could face stringent scrutiny from international inspectors, potentially resulting in operational bans in key European markets. In response to EASA’s alarming feedback, the DGCA swiftly imposed corrective measures on Air India to mitigate any adverse effects on its operations in Europe. A senior official from the civil aviation regulator noted that, following heightened inspections, the fault count had fallen to 1.76 as of last week, suggesting some improvement in compliance. A senior company official told SSBCrack News the high number of infractions is due to the airline’s ageing fleet. EASA’s rigorous standards particularly highlight minor issues that might not warrant attention elsewhere, such as a broken seat or worn emergency markings, as significant violations. With Air India operating multiple flights to 10 European destinations, the airline has also had to adapt its North American routes; due to restrictions over Pakistani airspace, planes are increasingly stopping in Vienna for fuel, subsequently increasing the potential for inspections. As part of its efforts to comply with regulatory expectations, Air India has conducted over 100 checks, and the DGCA continues to monitor the airline’s aircraft destined for international routes.
