India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has cancelled a scheduled safety and compliance audit of Air India, originally planned for June 24–26, according to sources familiar with the matter. The decision comes as the airline grapples with significant operational challenges following both a deadly plane crash and widespread international flight suspensions.

The annual audit, which was to be conducted at Air India’s headquarters in Gurugram, was set to assess critical aspects such as flight operations, cabin safety standards, and pilot duty-time compliance. However, officials opted to postpone the inspection to allow Air India to focus on managing ongoing disruptions in its services caused by escalating tensions in the Middle East.

Air India had recently suspended several international routes, including flights to Europe, North America, and the Middle East, due to security risks stemming from the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict. A source within the DGCA stated that the regulator considered it inappropriate to proceed with the audit under such strained circumstances, especially as the airline worked to stabilize flight schedules and ensure passenger safety.

The cancellation also follows a series of warnings issued to Air India in recent weeks. The DGCA had raised concerns about the airline’s scheduling of pilots in violation of flight duty time limitations. It had directed Air India to remove executives responsible for crew rosters and to submit a revised scheduling plan. Additionally, authorities flagged issues with outdated emergency evacuation equipment on certain aircraft, prompting another advisory to ensure compliance with international safety norms.

While the DGCA has clarified that the cancelled audit is not connected to the recent fatal crash of Air India Flight 171 in Ahmedabad, the timing of the decision has attracted scrutiny. The crash, which claimed over 270 lives, including passengers and ground personnel, has intensified public and regulatory focus on the airline’s safety standards and internal processes.

The investigation into the crash remains ongoing, with preliminary findings expected in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, industry observers have expressed concern that the postponement of the DGCA audit could delay the implementation of necessary reforms within the airline’s operations.

As Air India continues to face pressure from regulators, customers, and international observers, the focus now shifts to whether the audit will be rescheduled shortly, and how the airline’s management under the Tata Group will address the mounting concerns over safety and compliance.