Post-Ahmedabad air crash, DGCA audit reveals systemic safety lapses

THE devastating crash of Air India flight AI171 in Ahmedabad, killing 275 people, has jolted the nation into confronting the simmering crisis in Indian aviation. As grief engulfs the families of the deceased, the preliminary audit by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) reveals a grim reality: systemic safety lapses across the aviation ecosystem. From dangerously worn aircraft tyres and ineffective repairs to faded runway markings and poor lighting at major airports, the findings suggest not an isolated oversight but a culture of complacency. In the aftermath of the tragedy, the DGCA’s 360-degree audit framework and deployment of multidisciplinary teams are welcome steps. But the rot runs deeper.

Disturbingly, just days after the crash, another Air India flight — AI130 from London to Mumbai — saw seven individuals, including crew members, fall ill mid-air. Passengers experienced nausea and dizziness, allegedly due to food poisoning or possible cabin decompression. These mid-air medical emergencies further spotlight the glaring gaps in in-flight safety and quality control. Meanwhile, multiple international flights have been cancelled in recent days, disrupting passengers and exposing further cracks in the airline’s operations.

This isn’t a coincidence; it’s a pattern of overlooked warnings, underfunded maintenance, lax oversight and poor crisis preparedness. It is no longer about a single crash or isolated incident; India’s aviation sector is in the midst of a systemic failure. Passengers are paying the price, some with inconvenience, others with their lives. India’s booming aviation market cannot be built on compromised safety. Regulatory reforms must now be matched by accountability. Airlines that repeatedly flout norms must face penalties, and whistleblowers should be encouraged to speak up. The AI171 crash must become a watershed moment. The country must finally stop treating air safety as an afterthought. Lives depend on it.

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