DGCA warns Air India over Bengaluru–London flights breaching 10-hour limit

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a warning letter to Air India after two Bengaluru–London flights (AI133) exceeded the prescribed flight time limit on May 16 and 17, 2025. As per regulations, such international flights should not exceed 10 hours, but both flights crossed the limit.

The DGCA said Air India’s accountable manager failed to ensure compliance with the norms.

 A show-cause notice issued on June 20, 2025, received an unsatisfactory response from the airline. The regulator has warned Air India to exercise full caution and responsibility in the future.

IndiGo under DGCA scanner 

Just a day before this action, the aviation watchdog served a show-cause notice to IndiGo for alleged lapses in simulator training for nearly 1,700 pilots. The move came after scrutiny of training records and replies from the airline last month. IndiGo has said it is reviewing the notice.

According to DGCA findings, Category C — or critical airfield — training for pilots-in-command and first officers was conducted using non-qualified simulators. Violations were flagged in training, testing, and checking for almost 1,700 pilots. Deficiencies were found in 20 simulators located across several cities — Delhi, Chennai, and Hyderabad (two each), Greater Noida and Gurugram (five each), and Bengaluru (four).

The DGCA has alleged that IndiGo’s Director (Training) failed to ensure compliance with civil aviation regulations. The notice warns of potential penalties under the Aircraft Rules and Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR).