Delhi-bound Air India Express flight cancelled due to technical snag, chaos at Ranchi airport
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Business Standard
3 hours ago
- Business Standard
76% flyers say airlines prioritise publicity over passenger safety: Survey
A majority of Indian airline passengers are increasingly concerned about flight safety, with 76 per cent of those surveyed believing that airlines are prioritising publicity over safety. This comes in the wake of recent aviation incidents and regulatory scrutiny that have reignited debate over operational standards in India's fast-growing aviation sector, according to a recent survey by LocalCircles. The survey report concluded, 'India cannot afford to overlook or shortchange on aviation safety,' especially as it positions itself as a global business and tourism hub. The findings of the survey, which drew over 44,000 responses from citizens across 322 districts, come just a day after Air India flight AI 2744 skidded off the runway at Mumbai airport during landing in monsoon rain. While all on board were safe, the incident comes more than a month after the tragic crash of AI171 in Ahmedabad last month, which claimed 260 lives. The June 12 crash, involving a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, is still under investigation, with officials probing whether the engine fuel cutoff switches were deactivated due to human error or a system failure. 'Either situation speaks poorly about the airline, in this case Air India, given that it is responsible for ensuring the health (maintenance) of the plane and the pilots,' the report noted. Passengers report traumatic flights According to the survey -- spanning participants from tier 1 (46 per cent), tier 2 (25 per cent), and tier 3 to rural areas (29 per cent) -- 64 per cent of airline passengers said they had experienced at least one rough flight in the last three years involving difficult takeoffs, landings, or in-flight events. Alarmingly, 75 per cent of these respondents felt that over half of their flights were problematic. Amid these growing safety concerns, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) recently mandated inspections of Boeing aircraft following a 2018 US FAA advisory on fuel switch mechanisms. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) also briefed Members of Parliament on safety lapses, prompting the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture to demand written responses from Air India and a full safety audit by the DGCA within three months. Criticism was also directed at DGCA's staffing shortages, with '45 per cent of its sanctioned posts lying vacant'. Panel members expressed concern over the burden on air traffic controllers who reportedly monitor up to 30 flights simultaneously — well above international norms. 'Why still poor air conditioning?' Lawmakers also questioned why Air India continues to face complaints over poor onboard conditions such as broken seats and faulty air conditioning, despite being privatised three years ago. Meanwhile, a DGCA inspection at leading airports uncovered significant lapses in aircraft maintenance, ground staff training, and runway safety protocols. In response, the DGCA has issued strict directives to airlines and airport operators. Airports have been instructed to enhance runway inspections, improve lighting systems, and bolster emergency response mechanisms. 'They have warned of intensified surveillance, surprise audits, and possible penalties for non-compliance,' the report stated.
News18
7 hours ago
- News18
Indian Airlines Spend More on Publicity Than on Passenger Safety, Finds LocalCircles Survey
Last Updated: LocalCircles survey revealed that as many as 64% respondents experienced at least one rough flight in 3 years, involving a difficult takeoff, landing, or inflight situation Around 76 per cent of respondents in a pan-India online survey opined that many airlines in India are spending more on publicity than on passenger safety. The online survey conducted by LocalCircles revealed that as many as 64 per cent of these respondents had experienced at least one rough flight in the last three years, involving a difficult takeoff, landing, or inflight situation. The survey, which received 44,000 responses from citizens across 322 districts, assumes significance amidst a spate of incidents, both mid-air and on ground, reported recently. These included Tata Group-run Air India's Boeing 787-8 aircraft accident that crashed within seconds of taking off for London Gatwick from Ahmedabad last month, killing 241 of the 242 passengers on board and another 19 on the ground. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is investigating the crash and has already submitted its preliminary report. Also, on Monday, passengers on board Air India Kochi-Mumbai flight had a narrow escape after the aircraft veered off the runway during landing, causing extensive damage to the aircraft. On the same day, another Air India flight aborted takeoff for Kolkata from Delhi at the last minute due to a 'technical snag" while IndiGo flight from Goa made an emergency landing due to a 'landing gear" issue. At the same time, the exterior window frame of a SpiceJet flight operating on Goa-Pune came off mid-air, creating panic among the passengers onboard the Bombardier Q400 aircraft. What the survey found The survey first asked air travellers, 'Do you believe India-based airlines are spending more on publicity than on safety?" Out of 26,696 who responded to the question 43 per cent stated, 'Yes, all of them"; 33 per cent of respondents stated, 'yes, some of them"; 11 per cent of respondents stated 'no, none of them" focus more on publicity and less on safety; and 13 per cent of respondents did not give a clear answer, as per the release. 'In summary, 76 per cent Indian airline passengers surveyed believe that many airlines are spending more on publicity than safety," it said. Of the total respondents in the survey, 63 per cent were men while 37 per cent were women. Also, 46 per cent of respondents were from Tier 1, 25 per cent from Tier 2, and the remaining 29 per cent were from Tier 3, 4, 5 and rural districts, it said. The survey also asked flyers, 'In the last three years, what percentage of your flights (takeoff, inflight or landings) on India-based airlines would you classify as rough or traumatic?" 'Out of 17,630 who responded to the question 75 per cent stated over 50 per cent of flights; 6 per cent of respondents stated 40-50 per cent flights, another 6 per cent of respondents stated 30-40 per cent flights while 9 per cent of respondents stated 10-20 per cent flights, and so on" as per LocalCircles. 'To sum up, 64 per cent airline passengers surveyed in India say they have had at least one or more rough flights in the last 3 years with a difficult takeoff, landing or inflight experience," it said. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Mint
8 hours ago
- Mint
Many Indian airlines spend more on publicity than on passenger safety: Survey
Mumbai, Jul 22 (PTI) Around 76 per cent of respondents in a pan-India online survey opined that many airlines in India are spending more on publicity than on passenger safety. The online survey conducted by LocalCircles revealed that as many as 64 per cent of these respondents had experienced at least one rough flight in the last three years, involving a difficult takeoff, landing, or inflight situation. The survey, which received 44,000 responses from citizens across 322 districts, assumes significance amidst a spate of incidents, both mid-air and on ground, reported recently. These included Tata Group-run Air India's Boeing 787-8 aircraft accident that crashed within seconds of taking off for London Gatwick from Ahmedabad last month, killing 241 of the 242 passengers on board and another 19 on the ground. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is investigating the crash and has already submitted its preliminary report. Also, on Monday, passengers on board Air India Kochi-Mumbai flight had a narrow escape after the aircraft veered off the runway during landing, causing extensive damage to the aircraft. On the same day, another Air India flight aborted takeoff for Kolkata from Delhi at the last minute due to a "technical snag" while IndiGo flight from Goa made an emergency landing due to a "landing gear" issue. At the same time, the exterior window frame of a SpiceJet flight operating on Goa-Pune came off mid-air, creating panic among the passengers onboard the Bombardier Q400 aircraft. The survey first asked air travellers, "Do you believe India-based airlines are spending more on publicity than on safety?" "Out of 26,696 who responded to the question 43 per cent stated, "yes, all of them"; 33 per cent of respondents stated "yes, some of them"; 11 per cent of respondents stated "no, none of them" focus more on publicity and less on safety; and 13 per cent of respondents did not give a clear answer, as per the release. "In summary, 76 per cent Indian airline passengers surveyed believe that many airlines are spending more on publicity than safety, " it said. Of the total respondents in the survey, 63 per cent were men while 37 per cent were women. Also, 46 per cent of respondents were from Tier 1, 25 per cent from Tier 2, and the remaining 29 per cent were from Tier 3, 4, 5 and rural districts, it said. The survey also asked flyers, "In the last three years, what percentage of your flights (takeoff, inflight or landings) on India-based airlines would you classify as rough or traumatic?" "Out of 17,630 who responded to the question 75 per cent stated over 50 per cent of flights; 6 per cent of respondents stated 40-50 per cent flights, another 6 per cent of respondents stated 30-40 per cent flights while 9 per cent of respondents stated 10-20 per cent flights, and so on" as per LocalCircles.
