In the aftermath of the June 12 Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad, which tragically killed 260 people, 112 Air India pilots - 51 commanders and 61 first officers - took sick leave on June 16, four days after the incident, citing stress and mental health concerns, according to Aviation Minister Murlidhar Mohol in Parliament .

Simultaneously, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has escalated scrutiny, issuing four show-cause notices to Air India for systemic breaches involving crew fatigue management and training oversight. The notices flag significant violations: inadequate rest periods, skipped simulator training, and insufficient high-altitude airport preparedness. These fresh warnings add to a troubling safety record - DGCA has already issued nine notices in the last six months.

Air India - now under Tata - had self-reported these lapses following the crash and affirmed its commitment to enhance safety protocols. DGCA officials warned potential penalties, including fines or license suspensions, if corrective action is not taken swiftly.

As crew morale and operational integrity face the test, the regulator’s decisive intervention highlights urgent need for systemic reforms.