The DGCA has suspended simulator training for A320 pilots at Air India’s Hyderabad facility for the second time within 3 days. This decision, along with the recent suspension of training activities for Boeing pilots at Air India’s Mumbai facility, could pose operational challenges for the airline. Currently, Air India is unable to train narrow-body and wide-body pilots at its own training facilities.
According to sources, the DGCA suspended simulator training activities at Air India’s Hyderabad facility due to certain lapses observed during an inspection. Air India has not commented on the regulator’s decision.
A senior Air India official stated that they are looking into the regulator’s observations and taking corrective measures. There was no immediate comment from the DGCA.
The sources said that the DGCA’s decisions were made in light of alleged lapses noticed during inspection of the airline’s training facilities. Air India has two major simulator training facilities in Mumbai and Hyderabad. The Mumbai facility is for training pilots of its wide-body fleet, while the Hyderabad facility is for training pilots of its narrow-body fleet.
Recently, a two-member DGCA inspection team found lapses in the airline’s internal safety audit reporting. These issues are currently being investigated by the regulator.
Air India, which is on a revival path, has placed orders for 470 narrow-body and wide-body planes and is hiring people at various levels as it expands its operations.
