Fri Jul 04 09:44:53 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

India’s aviation watchdog, the DGCA, reprimanded Air India Express, a budget carrier owned by the Tata Group, for failing to replace engine parts on an Airbus A320 as mandated by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The DGCA also accused the airline of falsifying records to show compliance with the directive. This issue was raised months before the recent Boeing Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad, which is still under investigation. The EASA directive aimed to address a potential safety risk related to CFM International LEAP-1A engines. Air India Express acknowledged the error, attributed it to a software migration issue, and stated that they have taken remedial action, including disciplinary measures against staff.

**News Article:**

**Air India Express Rebuked for Safety Violations, Falsifying Records**

*NEW DELHI – July 4, 2025* – Air India Express, the budget airline subsidiary of Air India (owned by the Tata Group), is under fire after India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) reprimanded the carrier for serious safety violations and alleged falsification of maintenance records. The DGCA’s action stems from a failure to replace engine parts on an Airbus A320, as mandated by a 2023 airworthiness directive issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

According to a confidential government memo seen by Reuters, the DGCA discovered that Air India Express failed to comply with the EASA directive regarding CFM International LEAP-1A engines on an Airbus A320 aircraft. The directive addressed potential manufacturing deficiencies that could lead to engine failure and debris release, potentially damaging the aircraft and compromising control.

Worse still, the DGCA accused Air India Express of altering maintenance records in its Aircraft Maintenance and Engineering Operating System (AMOS) to falsely indicate compliance with the engine part replacement requirement. The specific aircraft involved was identified as VT-ATD, frequently used on domestic and international routes.

This incident comes at a sensitive time for Air India, which is already facing intense scrutiny following the devastating Boeing Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad last month. While the engine issue was flagged in March, the DGCA had previously warned Air India for breaching rules concerning overdue escape slide checks and pilot duty timings.

Air India Express acknowledged the oversight, stating that a technical team missed the implementation deadline due to a migration of records on its monitoring software. The airline claims the problem was fixed promptly after discovery and has taken administrative action, including removing the quality manager and suspending the deputy continuing airworthiness manager.

Neither the DGCA, EASA, Airbus nor CFM International responded to Reuters’ requests for comment.

“It’s a grave mistake,” said Vibhuti Singh, a former legal expert at the India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau. “The risk increases when you are flying over sea or near restricted airspace.”

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