India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has directed Air India to take corrective measures following an operational lapse involving the deployment of an incorrect aircraft on a Delhi–Vancouver flight. The directive comes after the airline operated a Boeing 777-200LR on the route, despite approvals being granted only for the Boeing 777-300ER variant.
The incident occurred on March 19, when flight AI185, carrying a full load of passengers, was forced to return to Delhi after being airborne for over seven hours. The aircraft had reached near Chinese airspace before the discrepancy was identified, prompting the crew to turn back in line with safety protocols. The flight landed safely in Delhi, and all passengers and crew disembarked without incident.
Following the incident, the DGCA sought a detailed report from the airline and has since asked it to implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence. Regulatory sources also confirmed that action has been taken against an airline official in connection with the lapse, although specific details were not disclosed.
The error has been attributed to a procedural lapse, reportedly linked to discrepancies in operational requirements for flights to Canada. The incident has once again highlighted the importance of strict adherence to regulatory approvals and operational compliance in international aviation.
Source: ET ( Business Unlimited takes no editorial responsibility for the same.)
