DGCA flags 263 safety lapses by airlines; Alliance Air, AI top list
The aviation watchdog has identified as many as 263 safety-related lapses across eight scheduled airlines over the past year, according to findings from routine audits and inspections conducted by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
The observations, part of the DGCA’s annual surveillance plan under its safety oversight programme, were meant to assess operational compliance and highlight areas needing improvement, the regulator said in a statement.
“Based on International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) requirements, audits are needed to enhance the safety of operations and ensure compliance and continuous improvement across all facets of airline operations,” the DGCA said. It added, “These audit findings aid in areas requiring improvement. This is as per the annual surveillance plan under the safety oversight programme.”
According to the audit data, Alliance Air recorded the highest number of observations with 57, followed by Air India (51) and Ghodawat Star (41). Quick Jet was flagged with 35 issues, while Air India Express had 25. IndiGo and SpiceJet recorded 23 and 14, respectively, and Tata SIA Airlines (Vistara, which merged with Air India in October last year) reported the fewest with 17 findings.
The DGCA classified the observations into two categories –level 1 for serious safety concerns and level 2 for less critical ones. Out of the total 263 findings, 244 were level 2, while 19 were level 1. Vistara and Air India accounted for the majority of the serious issues, with 10 and 7 level 1 findings, respectively.
The aviation watchdog clarified that the number of audit findings must be seen in the context of an airline’s operational scale. “For airlines with extensive operations and large fleet sizes, a higher number of audit findings is entirely normal. The quantum and scale of their activities mean that such observations reflect the breadth and depth of their operations rather than any unusual lapse. Globally, aviation regulators routinely encounter similar patterns with major carriers due to the diversity and intensity of their undertakings,” the DGCA said.
Once audits are complete, airlines are formally informed of the findings and are required to respond with corrective action plans. The DGCA said it closely tracks these submissions to ensure all safety measures are fully addressed.
“The DGCA closely monitors these responses and ensures that all necessary measures are taken to maintain and enhance safety standards. The DGCA reassures the travelling public that these processes are robust and that the presence of such findings is a testament to active regulatory oversight,” the statement concluded.
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