Delhi panel flags aviation safety gaps, seeks full DGCA autonomy
India’s rapidly growing aviation sector has once again come under the scanner, with a parliamentary committee flagging serious gaps in regulatory oversight and safety enforcement. The panel, reviewing the state of civil aviation, has called for granting full administrative and financial autonomy to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), warning that the regulator’s limited powers and staffing shortages are undermining safety in one of the world’s fastest-expanding aviation markets.
The report, tabled in both Houses of Parliament, underlined that the DGCA cannot function as an effective watchdog unless empowered with greater independence to recruit skilled technical staff and enforce compliance. Experts noted that the regulator’s current hiring model restricts its ability to match industry pay scales, deterring top talent from joining at a time when India is witnessing an unprecedented surge in passenger volumes and fleet expansion.
Highlighting human factor risks, the panel drew attention to fatigue among Air Traffic Controllers (ATCOs) and the urgent requirement for a Fatigue Risk Management System. Concerns were also raised over the pressure on pilots and crew, with repeated calls for strict adherence to Flight Duty Time Limitations and proactive mental health support mechanisms. Operational stress, the report added, was becoming a structural safety risk that required immediate reform.To address persistent gaps in reporting culture, the committee recommended the creation of a “Just Culture” framework, alongside whistle-blower protection for aviation personnel. This, experts believe, could shift the sector away from a punitive environment towards one that encourages transparent reporting of errors vital for improving safety systems.
On the enforcement side, the report expressed alarm over delays in addressing safety deficiencies, particularly serious cases that remain pending for months. The committee advised imposing stricter penalties, including financial fines, to hold operators accountable.Beyond regulatory lapses, the panel underscored infrastructure mismatches, observing that aircraft inductions are outpacing airport growth. It suggested a National Capacity Alignment Plan to ensure airport expansion keeps pace with airline fleet orders. At the same time, the need for modernising outdated Air Traffic Control automation systems was flagged, with a push for AI-driven tools to reduce controller workload.
Economic vulnerabilities were also brought to light, with India still reliant on foreign Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities for nearly 85 per cent of its requirements. A policy push to incentivise domestic MRO facilities was recommended to reduce dependence, cut costs, and build self-reliant aviation capacity.The report concluded with a call for a dedicated Member (ATC) on the Airports Authority of India board, ensuring air traffic control the most safety-sensitive function gets representation at the top decision-making level. Experts maintain that unless structural reforms are urgently initiated, India’s aviation boom risks being compromised by systemic weaknesses in regulation, safety culture, and infrastructure alignment.
