European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has officially flagged Air India for a series of safety deficiencies discovered during unannounced inspections at various European airports. Reports emerging on March 16, 2026, indicate that the airline’s “fault ratio” has climbed dangerously close to the threshold that could trigger an operational ban within the European Union.
The SAFA Audit: 1.96 Findings Per Inspection
Under the Safety Assessment of Foreign Aircraft (SAFA) program, EASA inspectors conduct surprise checks covering 54 safety parameters. Air India’s performance has shown a concerning downward trend:
- The January Peak: The ratio of findings per inspection reached 1.96 in January 2026.
- The Danger Zone: A ratio exceeding 2.0 typically results in enhanced scrutiny, and in extreme cases, can lead to the airline being placed on the EU Air Safety List (banned from EU airspace).
- Current Status: Following emergency intervention by India’s DGCA, the ratio reportedly improved slightly to 1.76 as of last week, though it remains well above the industry benchmark of 1.0 for high-performing airlines.
Key Safety Lapses Identified
Inspectors flagged issues ranging from minor cabin defects to critical airworthiness concerns:
- Cabin Integrity: Broken seats, worn-out emergency markings, and malfunctioning tray tables.
- Safety Equipment: Discrepancies in the placement or maintenance of life jackets and emergency exits.
- Operational Lapses: Recent incidents involving the operation of aircraft without mandatory airworthiness permits.
- Maintenance Backlog: Over 70% of the Air India Group fleet is reported to have recurring technical defects, the highest among major Indian carriers.
The “Aging Fleet” Struggle
Air India officials have attributed the high fault count to the carrier’s aging fleet. While the Tata Group initiated a $400 million refurbishment project post-acquisition, the program has faced significant delays:
- Supply Chain Crisis: Global vendors have struggled to deliver seats and components, pushing full fleet retrofits to late 2028.
- War-Related Strain: The US-Iran conflict has forced Air India to take longer flight paths (avoiding regional airspace), increasing technical stops in cities like Vienna and Rome. This has inadvertently increased the frequency of surprise EASA inspections.
Regulatory Fallout
The DGCA has intensified its oversight, issuing a show-cause notice to Air India CEO Campbell Wilson and suspending top engineering officials. To address the crisis, Air India has appointed Jeremy Yew (formerly of Singapore Airlines Engineering Company) as the new Head of Engineering to overhaul maintenance protocols.
