A Shocking Report on Airline Safety
The Parliamentary panel has revealed concerning details about the technical problems in commercial flights. Their report states that 50% of flights face technical issues. The audit conducted last year showed that out of 754 commercial flights, 377 had recurring technical problems.
Major Airlines Hit by Repeated Failures
The audit focused heavily on Indigo Airlines. Indigo had the highest number of flights with technical failures. As of February 3, the audit covered 405 Indigo flights, and 148 had technical issues. Air India and Air India Express also ranked high on the list.
Air India and Air India Express Findings
The audit reviewed 166 Air India flights, finding 137 with frequent technical problems. Additionally, 54 of 101 Air India Express flights had similar failures. The report highlights the severity of these issues, with significant implications for passenger safety.
DGCA’s Involvement After Ahmedabad Incident
Following the Air India incident in Ahmedabad on June 12 last year, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) conducted audits between July 1-4, 2025. The audit also raised concerns about the training deficiencies in pilots of Boeing 787 and 777 flights. Furthermore, at least four international flights lacked sufficient cabin crew.
Flight Duty Violations and Other Concerns
The report expressed serious concerns over violations of flight duty time regulations. It also mentioned unauthorized cockpit entries and the use of expired emergency equipment. The DGCA issued several show-cause notices to airlines, including Air India, for breaching safety rules.
Staff Shortage Raises Serious Issues
The report also addressed the DGCA’s staffing shortage, pointing out that 48.3% of positions were vacant. This shortage raises concerns about the regulator’s ability to effectively monitor the rapidly growing aviation sector.
Recommendations for Immediate Action
To address these issues, the panel recommends urgent reforms. They call for stronger enforcement, better surveillance mechanisms, and improvements in institutional capacity to ensure passenger safety.
