A confidential government document seen by Reuters reveals serious allegations against Air India Express, Air India's low-cost subsidiary. It alleges that the airline ignored an instruction from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regarding engine maintenance on its Airbus A320 aircraft and subsequently falsified documents to feign compliance.
This revelation comes just months after the tragic crash of an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which has already put Indian aviation safety under increased scrutiny. While the Indian Aviation Authority (DGCA) has already reprimanded Air India Express, the new allegations reinforce concerns among international regulators about the transparency and thoroughness of Indian aviation safety standards.
EASA directive ignored: A case of alleged document forgery
The allegations against Air India Express are serious and could have far-reaching consequences for the airline's reputation and operational safety. In 2023, European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) the airworthiness directive 2023-0108 for CFM International LEAP-1A engines This instruction required the replacement of specific components. The background to this was an investigation by the manufacturer which had shown that some parts, including High-pressure turbine (HPT) stage 1 discs, front outer seals and compressor rotor stages 6–10 spools, may have been manufactured from material with reduced strength due to iron contamination. Such defects can compromise the integrity of the engines and pose a significant safety risk.
A confidential memo from the Indian government, sent to the low-cost airline in March 2025 and seen by Reuters, has now revealed that surveillance by the Indian Aviation Authority DGCA revealed that the required engine modification on a Airbus A320neo of Air India Express with registration VT-ATD had not been completed within the specified timeframe. Even more serious is the addition in the memo that “to show that the work was carried out within the prescribed limits, the AMOS records appear to have been altered/falsified"AMOS is a widely used software package for maintenance planning and documentation in aviation. Falsifying such records would constitute a deliberate disregard for safety regulations and a serious breach of trust with regulatory authorities.
The affected VT-ATD is a five-year-old narrow-body aircraft leased from AerCap. Since 2023, it has flown under the Air India Express brand, having previously been operated by AIX Connect (which merged with Air India Express in 2024). According to data from ch-aviation, the aircraft had completed a total of 30 flight hours and 2023 flight cycles as of September 14.159, 6.930. The DGCA subsequently reprimanded Air India Express. Air India Express told Reuters that it had acknowledged the error to the regulator and "taken corrective and preventive measures."
The recent Dreamliner crash and the consequences for Indian aviation safety
The revelations about Air India Express come at a time when the Indian aviation security is already under intensive scrutiny stands. On June 12, 2025 The tragic crash of a Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, in which 241 of the 242 passengers and crew died. This accident sparked a widespread debate about safety standards in Indian civil aviation.
In response to the crash, the Indian Upper House of Parliament a comprehensive one Safety review of the country's civil aviation sector A draft of the memo seen by Reuters states that airport operators, air traffic controllers, and airlines, including Air India and IndiGo, were invited to participate in the review to improve safety standards. This shows that the Indian government has recognized the need for a thorough investigation and possible reforms.
In addition to internal efforts, Western aviation regulators in the United States, the United Kingdom and France Concerns about transparency the investigation into the Boeing 787 Dreamliner crash led by Indian authorities. Two sources familiar with the matter told the Italian newspaper Corriere della Serathat there are behind-the-scenes fears that local political pressures could influence the investigation and its final report.
These concerns arose particularly after the handling of the both black boxeswhich, contrary to international practice, were not sent to the United States or France for analysis, despite both countries having recognized expertise in this field. In addition, the rejection of observers from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)to participate in the investigation. Such measures may create the impression that a comprehensive and independent investigation is not fully guaranteed, which could undermine confidence in the results.
Air India Express in transition: Part of the Tata Group
Air India Express was founded in 2005 was founded as a low-cost subsidiary of Air India. In 2022 The parent company Air India was officially Tata Group This acquisition raised hopes that the business acumen of the Tata Group, one of India's largest conglomerates, would help develop Air India and its low-cost subsidiary, Air India Express, into "world-class airlines." The Tata Group's goal is to significantly improve the efficiency and quality of airlines and elevate them to a global level.
According to ch-aviation, Air India Express operates a fleet of 114 aircraftThis fleet includes a mix of different aircraft types, including 49 Boeing 737 MAX 8, 26 Boeing 737-800, 24 Airbus A320-200, 12 Airbus A320neo and three Airbus A321neo narrow-body aircraftThis fleet diversification allows the airline to serve different route profiles and passenger numbers. Looking ahead, the airline also expects to deliver additional 50 Boeing 737 MAX 10 and 91 Boeing 737 MAX 8These substantial orders demonstrate Air India Express's ambitious growth plans and the Tata Group's confidence in the potential of the Indian aviation market.
However, the current allegations and safety concerns could cast a shadow over these growth plans and complicate the Tata Group's efforts to reform its airlines. Confidence in safety standards is of utmost importance for any airline, especially in international air travel.
A wake-up call for Indian aviation
The revelations about the alleged violation of EASA directives and document forgery at Air India Express are a serious setback for the image of Indian aviation and the Tata Group, which has committed to leading the airlines to world-class standards. Combined with the international concerns surrounding the investigation into the recent Dreamliner crash, the picture emerges that underscores the urgent need for action in Indian aviation.
The call for a comprehensive safety review by the Indian Parliament is a necessary step. It is crucial that this review be conducted transparently and independently to restore the confidence of the international aviation community and passengers in the safety of Indian airspace and its airlines. Only in this way can India sustainably achieve its ambitious growth targets in air traffic and consolidate its role as an emerging aviation nation.