Aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation has sought an explanation from Air India for operating a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner despite repeated technical snags, sources said. In a show-cause notice issued this week, the DGCA flagged multiple issues related to Dreamliner aircraft VT-ANI. The notice also referred to non-compliance with the Minimum Equipment List during the operation of a flight on June 28 this year, according to sources. The regulator raised safety concerns linked to aircraft dispatch, adherence to MEL norms and flight crew decision-making during the operation of flights AI 258 and AI 357. While the exact dates of these flights could not be immediately confirmed, both services operate on the Delhi to Tokyo route. Sources said the DGCA noted that the aircraft was operated despite prior knowledge of repeated technical snags and existing system degradations. Air India did not respond to queries on the matter. It was also not immediately clear whether aircraft VT-ANI has been taken out of service.
