What Actions Has the DGCA Taken Against Airlines Over 19 Safety Violations in 2025?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- 19 safety violations reported by the DGCA in 2025.
- Steady increase in enforcement actions over recent years.
- Actions include financial penalties and warnings.
- Concerns over staffing shortages impacting safety.
- Government committed to enhancing aviation safety.
New Delhi, Dec 8 (NationPress) The aviation regulatory authority of India has implemented measures concerning 19 safety violations attributed to airlines as of 2025, as disclosed to Parliament on Monday.
In response to a Lok Sabha inquiry, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol provided comprehensive information regarding airline non-compliance, safety funding, and staffing deficiencies within critical aviation organizations.
Mohol noted that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has intensified its enforcement actions over the past five years.
The number of interventions against scheduled airlines has shown a consistent upward trend, escalating from two in 2021 to seven in 2022, ten in 2023, and twenty-two in 2024, culminating in nineteen thus far this year.
These interventions encompass financial fines, suspension of approvals or authorizations, and formal warnings.
The safety violations identified by the regulator span a broad spectrum of lapses, including non-adherence to breath analyzer regulations for crew, deficiencies in flight data oversight, unauthorized access to cockpit areas, and inadequate quality assurance evaluations.
Additional breaches included the improper use of flight simulators lacking DGCA approval, deploying crew members without requisite training, and infringement of Flight Duty Time Limitations.
Maintenance issues were also highlighted, such as neglecting proper procedures, deficiencies noted during inspections, and instances where aircraft were operated with expired emergency gear.
The Minister stated that the Government has been allocating resources to enhance the DGCA’s safety and regulatory oversight, with annual budget specifics submitted to Parliament.
He also disclosed the current status of vacancies across four prominent aviation entities: the DGCA, the Airports Authority of India (AAI), the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), and the Air Traffic Controllers’ cadre.
The details regarding sanctioned positions and vacancies for each organization were shared to underscore the manpower shortages affecting safety and regulatory operations.