This security procedure came into effect after the 9/11 terror strikes on the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York.

Under the rules, the DGCA can also initiate criminal proceedings against Air India for putting at risk the lives of passengers.

The carrier has come under the scanner for another reason. The country's official auditor Thursday reported operational irregularities at the company, such as paying more than regular rates to catering services and extra payment due to improper assessment of electricity needs.

The carrier is also in a financial mess with losses expected to have topped Rs.5,000 crore ($1 billion) last fiscal, forcing Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel to approach Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for a Rs.10,000-crore (about $2-billion) bailout package for the beleaguered carrier.

Last month, the carrier was also forced to delay the payment of salaries, apart from asking senior executives to forego a month's pay.

Air India is also headed for a management rejig.