Airline warned it faces revocation of certificate if corrections are not implemented.
Russian federal air transport regulator Rosaviatsia has restricted the air operator’s certificate of carrier Izhavia after an inspection of its activities.
Izhavia is located at Izhevsk airport, northeast of Kazan, and operates Boeing 737-800s.
Rosaviatsia says the inspection took place over the two weeks to 13 April and covered preparation and conduct of flights, aircraft operation, implementation of maintenance, and other aspects.
The regulator says it “discovered violations” of Russian aviation legislation during the visit.
“Cases were uncovered of aircraft being cleared for flight without having undergone all necessary maintenance,” it states.
Rosaviatsia adds that the flight safety-management system was found to be “malfunctioning”, and instances were found of crew work schedule breaches as well as technical personnel exceeding standard working hours.
The restriction on the AOC runs until 28 July.
Rosaviatsia warns that if the situation is not corrected by then, Izhavia’s certificate will be revoked.
It has advised the airline’s management to review safety management, conduct an internal audit of airworthiness, and carry out a series of “structural and personnel changes”.
“Aviation safety is a key priority for every single participant in our industry. There can be no laxness or irresponsibility in this regard,” says Rosaviatsia chief Dmitry Yadrov.
“Without this, the carrier will have to leave the market.”
Izhavia acknowledges the Rosaviatsia decision, but points out that its flights are still operating as scheduled.
“The issues identified during the preventive visit are being addressed,” the carrier insists, adding that a corrective plan has been approved by its management.
Izhavia says an internal audit of the aircraft maintenance and airworthiness departments is being conducted, and additional procedures are being implemented to monitor compliance with duty time standards.
“There are no threats to flight safety,” the carrier says. “Passenger and crew safety has been and remains the airline’s unconditional priority.”
Izhavia points out that its certificate was previously suspended in 2019, owing to financial performance and flight delays, but these issues were “fully rectified” and the certificate was reinstated.
It says this previous suspension was a “valuable learning experience” and it introduced more robust processes as a result.
“Management views the current situation as another step in improving operational quality, not a critical point,” it says. “All identified issues will be addressed.”
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