India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has rolled out new safety measures for non-scheduled operators, including mandatory public disclosures, safety rankings, intensive audits, and stricter penalties. The regulator will increase monitoring of older aircraft and those undergoing ownership changes, holding accountable managers and senior leadership liable for systemic non-compliances.
Following a high-level meeting with non-scheduled operators, the DGCA has announced a zero-tolerance policy toward safety compromises, introducing a comprehensive set of measures to strengthen aviation safety oversight.
The regulator confirmed that increased monitoring will be applied to older aircraft and those undergoing ownership changes, as these categories are more vulnerable to operational lapses. New mandates include mandatory public disclosures of safety records, safety rankings for operators, intensive audits, and stricter penalties for violations.
DGCA officials emphasized that safety lapses cannot simply be blamed on pilots. Instead, accountable managers and senior leadership will be held strictly liable for systemic non-compliances, ensuring responsibility is enforced at the organizational level.
The measures are aimed at addressing systemic weaknesses in decision-making and reinforcing India’s aviation safety framework. Industry experts believe these steps will enhance transparency, improve passenger confidence, and align India’s aviation standards with global best practices.
Key Highlights
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Monitoring: Increased oversight of older aircraft and those under ownership changes.
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New Mandates: Public disclosures, safety rankings, intensive audits, stricter penalties.
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Accountability: Senior leadership and managers liable for systemic lapses.
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Policy: Zero-tolerance approach toward safety compromises in non-scheduled operators.
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Strategic Goal: Address systemic weaknesses, improve compliance, and boost transparency.
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Industry Impact: Strengthens India’s aviation safety standards and passenger confidence.
Sources: Ministry of Civil Aviation – DGCA Official Release; Business Standard – Aviation Safety Mandates Update; Economic Times – Non-Scheduled Operators Oversight