Whalesbook
EASA Revokes VSR Ventures' Operating Permit
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has officially revoked the Third Country Operator (TCO) authorisation for VSR Ventures Pvt Ltd, an Indian non-scheduled operator. This severe regulatory action, confirmed by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) sources, follows the company's persistent failure to engage with EASA's requests for information concerning a Learjet 45 aircraft accident. The flight, registration VT-DBL, crashed on September 14, 2023, while landing at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. Five individuals were reported onboard at the time of the incident.
Regulatory Scrutiny and Non-Compliance
EASA had initially flagged VSR Ventures with a Level 1 finding due to its lack of response to queries related to the Sept 2023 crash. The agency was particularly interested in any safety recommendations, internal investigation outcomes, and interim measures implemented by VSR Ventures. Despite multiple reminders through official channels, the company provided no substantive reply. This non-compliance led EASA to suspend VSR Ventures' TCO authorisation on December 17, 2024.
Long-Term Consequences and Ongoing Investigation
Following the suspension, VSR Ventures continued its silence for over 12 months. Consequently, EASA decided to revoke the TCO authorisation on December 18, 2025, stating that the suspension would only be lifted upon satisfactory corrective actions. Separately, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is still in the final stages of its investigation into the September 2023 Mumbai crash. The Aviation Ministry indicated that the AAIB team is prioritizing the finalization of its report based on all collected evidence and documents.