Air India Achieves Important Maintenance Approval Ahead of Merger

The Air India-Vistara merger is just round the corner and as the airline inches closer to the merger it is channeling its capabilities to optimize its overall performance and efficiency. Marking an important milestone, the airline received Design Organization Approval (DOA), designated as CAR 21 approval, from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The approval will enable Air India to independently make design changes in-house and implement modifications to its aircraft interiors more efficiently.

Air India is the first airline in India to attain this level of authorization, accelerating its ability to execute maintenance tasks for continuous improvement of its fleet.

This DOA is considered as a transformative step towards enhancing Air India’s in-house capabilities, which has been bolstered by decisions to set up its own engineering, maintenance and training facilities. The DGCA approval was handed over to Campbell Wilson, Air India’s chief executive and managing director, by D.C. Sharma, the director general, DGCA, amongst other senior officials of Air India and DGCA.

Earlier this month, Air India entered into a collaboration with Tata Technologies to enhance aircraft interiors in its fleet, aligned with the CAR 21 approval for aircraft modifications. Tata Technologies is helping the airline to reengineer the interiors of some its grounded fleet to make them airworthy again.

While accepting the DOA, Wilson stressed the importance of this DOA in light of the airline’s efforts to develop its in-house maintenance capabilities. He also spoke about Air India’s commitment to enhance the customer experience by improving aircraft interiors. “The collaboration with Tata Technologies will help us meet customer expectations, aligning with our broader goals of operational excellence and self-reliance,” said Wilson.

He went on to add how India’s aviation sector is on a growth trajectory and Air India is playing a leading role in it.

Just last month Air India launched a $400 million refurbishment program involving upgrading 67 legacy planes--27 narrowbody and 40 widebody aircraft.

"By leveraging our global aerospace expertise, we are committed to delivering next-generation aircraft interiors that not only meet the highest standards of functionality and safety, but also enhance customer satisfaction,” added Warren Harris, chief executive and managing director, Tata Technologies. He described the partnership with Air India as a significant step forward in redefining air travel experiences through innovation and strategic engineering. “This collaboration is a testament to our dedication to engineering a better world and supporting the advancement of the Indian aviation sector,” Harris concluded.

Air India is also collaborating with a host of partners including Recaro, Thales’s Avant Up and Lufthansa Technik for seating solutions, inflight entertainment systems and other components.