Image Source: The Times of India
Aviation safety in India is under intense scrutiny following the tragic Air India 171 crash and recent emergency landings involving SpiceJet and IndiGo. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has responded to public concerns, outlining new measures and providing context to the current state of airline safety.
Key Highlights
The Air India 171 crash near Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, resulted in 241 fatalities and raised questions about cockpit procedures. Preliminary investigations revealed both engines lost power after the fuel control switches were manually set to cutoff, a move requiring deliberate action. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and DGCA have since mandated enhanced safety inspections across Air India’s Boeing 787 fleet, with 26 of 33 aircraft cleared for service so far.
In June, IndiGo and SpiceJet flights made emergency landings due to technical issues. IndiGo’s Delhi-Leh flight returned to Delhi after a technical snag, while a SpiceJet Hyderabad-Tirupati flight returned to its origin following a cockpit warning. No injuries were reported in either case, and both airlines arranged alternate aircraft for passengers.
Between 2020 and early 2025, Indian airlines reported 2,461 technical faults, with IndiGo accounting for over half. The DGCA views increased reporting as a positive sign of transparency and has taken action against airlines for compliance lapses, including suspensions and management changes.
DGCA’s Safety Measures and Sector Growth
The DGCA has introduced stricter protocols, including enhanced fatigue management for pilots, increased rest periods, and revised night duty definitions. Special audits and simulator-based training are now mandatory for airlines and flight training organizations.
New operational guidelines prioritize safety over schedule adherence, especially during adverse weather. Pilots are encouraged to divert or return if conditions warrant, and maintenance turnaround times are under review.
India’s aviation sector is expanding rapidly, with the number of scheduled aircraft nearly doubling in a decade. The DGCA is scaling oversight to match this growth, aiming to ensure that safety standards keep pace with rising demand.
Sources: NDTV, Air India, Business Standard, AviationA2Z, Financial Express, IndiaTimes, Times of India, PilotCareer.in, InsightFlyer.com
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