A European aviation regulator body had suspended the authorisation of the charter operator company VSR Ventures more than a year ago, citing “level 1” safety concerns. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency EASA had also issued a suspension order for the charter operator to the DGCA after they failed to provide information and documents, Times of India reported.
The regulator had sought the information after the September 2023 Learjet 45 air crash in Mumbai. A level 1 safety finding is the EASA’s most serious category of non-compliance and is issued when a safety risk cannot be ruled out or when an operator fails to cooperate with regulations.
For any non-EU aircraft operator to land or operate in European airspace, a TCO authorisation is mandatory under the EASA framework. The authorisation means that the operator meets international safety standards.
The flight crash that killed Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar and four others on Monday was a Learjet operated by VSR.
VSR reportedly did not grant access to EASA to the documents and information which were requested. The agency therefore could not determine whether VSR was compliant with the requirements of the TCO, according ot the Suspension order seen by the TOI.
The operator also did not provide information about the accident involving the learjet -45 in Mumbai.
The regulator's body also said that it was interested in viewing safety recommendations addressed to the air carrier.
The suspension also listed five ates in October and November of 2024 when they sent reminders to the operator seeking information and received no response.
A VSR Learjet carrying Ajit Pawar and four other people crashed near Baramati Airstrip on January 28 2026, while attempting a landing for the second time.
The plane reportedly lost balance and crashed belly up nearby, with the body of the plane exploding, killing all of its passengers.