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Indian Express
30-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
DGCA finds 263 safety lapses in audits of various airlines; assures flyers that higher lapse count ‘entirely normal' for large carriers
Aviation safety regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) found 263 safety-related lapses across various operators in their annual audits, but underscored that that higher number of lapses—particularly in the case of airlines with extensive networks and large aircraft fleets—is 'entirely normal' given the breadth and depth of their operations rather than any unusual lapse. The regulator also reassured flyers that the audits and consequent corrective action by airlines are robust processes and the presence of such findings is a 'testament to active regulatory oversight'. 'The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), as part of its continuous oversight responsibilities, conducts audits that are an essential instrument to identify and use them for potential improvements. Based on ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) requirements and global best practices, these audits are needed to enhance the safety of operations and ensure compliance, and continuous improvement across all facets of airline operations. These audits findings aid in areas requiring improvement. This is as per Annual Surveillance Plan (ASP) under Safety Oversight Programme,' the DGCA said in a release. Some of the audits happened close to the tragic crash of Air India flight AI 171 in Ahmedabad on June 12, but were not related to the disaster in which 260 persons perished. According to data released by the regulator on Wednesday, government-owned regional airline Alliance Air topped the list with 57 lapses, followed by Air India with 51 findings, regional airline Star Air with 41 findings, cargo airline QuickJet with 35 findings, Air India Express with 25 findings, IndiGo with 23 findings, Vistara—now merged with Air India—with 17 lapses, and SpiceJet with 14 lapses. Akasa Air's audit process is yet to be completed, it is understood. The lapses have been categorised into level one and level two findings. Of the total 263 findings, 19 were categorised as level one findings, or relatively more serious lapses. Vistara, Air India, and Air India Express had 10, seven, and two level one findings, respectively. 'It should be emphasized that, 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 regulator said. IndiGo is the country's largest airline, with a domestic market share of around 65 per cent, followed by the Air India group—Air India and Air India Express, with a share of around 30 per cent. In the medium- and long-haul international segment, Air India is the country's biggest airline, as IndiGo has very limited presence in that segment. Upon completion of the audit, the relevant airlines are formally notified and are required to submit timely compliance and corrective action taken reports to the DGCA. The regulator 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. Our commitment to safety, transparency, and continuous improvement remains paramount across the Indian aviation industry,' the regulator said.
New Indian Express
30-07-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
DGCA flags 263 safety lapses in annual airline audit; Tata-SIA, Air India among top violators
NEW DELHI: India's aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), on Wednesday said it has detected 263 lapses during its annual audit of eight airlines over the past year, including 19 serious violations and 244 minor ones. Data along with an official statement released by DGCA, reveals that Tata-SIA Airlines (a joint venture between Tata Group and Singapore Airlines) tops in Level-1 breaches (serious in nature) with 10 committed, while Air India follows with 7 violations, and Air India Express with 2 of them. Alliance Air tops the defaulter list in the Level-2 breaches (minor ones) with 57, Air India follows it with 44, and Ghodawat Star (a regional airline based in Bengaluru with a focus on smaller towns and cities) stands third with 41 violations. Quickjet was involved in 35 breaches, Indigo and Air India Express had 23 each, while Spicejet had 14 breaches, and Tata-SIA Airlines had 7. The release did not specify the exact 12-month period involved but merely said the last year. It said these audits are essential instruments for potential improvements. "Based on ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) requirements and global best practices, these audits are needed to enhance the safety of operations and ensure compliance, and continuous improvement across all facets of airline operations," it said. It is done as per the Annual Surveillance Plan (ASP) under the Safety Oversight Programme.
Hindustan Times
30-07-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
263 safety-related findings across 8 airlines in last one year: DGCA audit report
As many as 263 safety-related issues were reported across eight airlines in the last one year, audit findings by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) revealed. According to its data, the maximum number of observations- 57, were found in Alliance Air. (File photo) The findings were recorded during routine audits and inspections carried out to assess safety compliance among scheduled airlines, the civil aviation regulator said in a statement. Emphasising the need of conducting audits, the DGCA said, 'Based on International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) requirements audits are needed to enhance the safety of operations and ensure compliance, and continuous improvement across all facets of airline operations.' 'These audits findings aid in areas requiring improvement. This is as per Annual Surveillance Plan (ASP) under Safety Oversight Programme,' it said. Also Read:Air India faces 51 safety lapses in DGCA audit, gets deadline for fixing According to its data, the maximum number of observations- 57, were found in Alliance Air, followed by Air India with 51, and Ghodawat Star with 41 findings. To be sure, Alliance Air is a government owned regional airline. IndiGo had 23 findings, while SpiceJet had 14. Quick Jet and Air India Express were flagged with 35 and 25 findings respectively, and Tata SIA Airlines (Vistara) had the lowest at 17. Vistara, however, was merged into Air India in October last year. The findings were classified into two categories, namely, Level 1 which flagged serious issues, and level 2, referring to less critical lapses. Of the total 263 findings, 244 were Level 2, while 19 were Level 1. Vistara (Tata SIA Airlines) and Air India together accounted for the majority of Level 1 findings, at 10 and 7 respectively. The DGCA said that as part of its continuous oversight responsibilities, it conducts audits that are an essential instrument to identify and use them for potential improvements. ' ..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,' a statement by DGCA read. It said that, upon completion of each audit, the relevant airlines are formally notified and are required to submit timely compliance and corrective action reports. '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. Our commitment to safety, transparency, and continuous improvement remains paramount across the Indian aviation industry,' the regulator concluded.
Time of India
30-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
High number of audit findings 'entirely normal for airlines with extensive operations & large fleet,' says DGCA
High number of audit findings 'entirely normal for airlines with extensive operations & large fleet,' says DGCA NEW DELHI: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Wednesday said 'a higher number of audit findings is entirely normal for airlines with extensive operations and large fleet sizes. ' And that the higher number of audit findings 'reflect the breadth and depth of (airline's) 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 regulator said in a statement. The statement came a day after reports of DGCA audit of Air India between July 1 and 4 had found around safety violations. Agency reports said the violations included seven 'level 1' significant breaches that require correction by July 30 while 44 other non compliances need to be resolved by Aug 23. On its part about these findings, AI had said it was 'fully transparent' during the audit and will respond to the regulator in the stipulated timeframe along with 'details of corrective action taken. ' The DGCA on Wednesday assured passengers about safety. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your New Zealand escape starts with Singapore Airlines Fly with Singapore Airlines Book Now Undo 'Upon completion of each audit, the relevant airlines are formally notified and are required to submit timely compliance and corrective action taken reports. The DGCA closely monitors these responses and ensures that all necessary measures are taken to maintain and enhance safety standards.' The DGCA statement said. '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. Our commitment to safety, transparency, and continuous improvement remains paramount across the Indian aviation industry,' it added. As part of its continuous oversight responsibilities, DGCA conducts audits 'that are an essential instrument to identify and use them for potential improvements.' 'Based on ICAO requirements and global best practices, these audits are needed to enhance the safety of operations and ensure compliance, and continuous improvement across all facets of airline operations. These audits findings aid in areas requiring improvement. This is as per Annual Surveillance Plan under Safety Oversight Programme,' it said.
