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NEW DELHI: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has grounded an Air India aircraft and launched a detailed investigation after the airline reported that the aircraft had operated eight revenue sectors on an expired Airworthiness Review Certificate (ARC).According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, quoted in the press note shared by ANI, “Air India informed the regulator on 26 November 2025 that one of its aircraft had been inadvertently deployed for commercial flights despite the ARC having lapsed. The ARC is a mandatory annual certification that validates an aircraft’s continued compliance with airworthiness standards and its main Certificate of Airworthiness.”In the press note, the ministry explained that the lapse occurred in the context of the ongoing merger of Vistara into Air India. As part of the transition, all 70 Vistara aircraft required renewed ARCs in 2024, with the DGCA assuming responsibility for issuing the certificates post-merger. While 69 aircraft received renewed ARCs after satisfactory checks, the 70th aircraft was grounded for an engine change after the operator filed its renewal application. During this period, its ARC expired, but the aircraft was subsequently released for service.Once the lapse was detected, the DGCA instructed Air India to immediately ground the aircraft and began an inquiry into how it was allowed to operate without a valid ARC. The certification process for the aircraft is now under way.The ministry said the personnel involved have been de-rostered with immediate effect pending the outcome of the probe. Air India, acting on DGCA’s directions, has initiated an internal investigation to identify system gaps, accountability failures, and corrective measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
