In a significant step to enhance aviation safety standards, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) launched an intensive surveillance campaign on June 19, targeting major Indian airports including Delhi and Mumbai. The drive, conducted by two expert teams led by the Joint Director General of DGCA, focused on critical components such as flight operations, aircraft maintenance, ramp safety, ATC systems, and pre-flight medical evaluations.
The inspections revealed serious safety lapses across various areas. Aircraft with recurring technical defects were found inadequately repaired, and essential maintenance procedures were not followed properly. Several instances of unserviceable ground handling equipment, like baggage trolleys and belt loaders, were reported. Critical aircraft systems, such as thrust reversers and flap slat levers, were left unsecured, and life vests were missing or improperly stowed, highlighting negligence in safety compliance by Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMEs).
Issues also extended beyond aircraft. One airport had faded runway center line markings, while taxiway lighting systems were misaligned. DGCA noted that obstruction data around aerodromes had not been updated for over three years, posing risks due to nearby construction. Additionally, ramp vehicles lacked speed governors, leading to permit revocations and driver suspensions. A simulator check further revealed outdated software and mismatched aircraft configurations, jeopardizing pilot training accuracy.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation confirmed that detailed findings have been communicated to all concerned operators, with a mandatory seven-day timeline for corrective actions. In one case, a scheduled domestic flight was grounded due to excessively worn tyres and was only cleared for takeoff after compliance with safety protocols.
This high-priority surveillance, launched under DGCA’s June 19 directive, will continue in the coming weeks to identify systemic hazards and enforce stricter safety protocols, reinforcing India’s commitment to maintaining world-class standards in aviation safety.
