The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has directed immediate corrective action from India’s leading airports and airline operators after uncovering widespread safety lapses during surprise inspections. The aviation regulator, conducting intensive surveillance in the wake of the recent Air India crash in Ahmedabad, has given a strict seven-day deadline to rectify violations.
According to DGCA officials, the inspections, held during night and early morning hours at high-traffic airports like Delhi and Mumbai, exposed systemic issues across aircraft maintenance, ground handling, and airport infrastructure. The inspections were part of a broader nationwide safety review initiated on 19 June, following the Air India crash that claimed at least 271 lives. During the surveillance, maintenance-related oversights were identified as a major area of concern. Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMEs) were reportedly found bypassing mandatory safety procedures. In multiple instances, defect reports generated by aircraft systems were either ignored or not documented in the technical logbook. Several life vests were also found improperly secured beneath passenger seats, contravening basic safety protocol.
Further inspections revealed that prescribed work orders for maintenance were not being implemented. In more severe cases, critical flight components such as thrust reversers and flap slat levers were not locked in accordance with aviation standards. The DGCA emphasised that such oversights have direct implications on aircraft safety, particularly during take-off and landing. Beyond aircraft-specific lapses, ground operations were found lacking. Several baggage trolleys and other essential support equipment were deemed unfit for use. The DGCA noted that tool control procedures were either incomplete or absent at several line maintenance facilities, breaching operational protocols.
Airport infrastructure also came under scrutiny. Inspectors reported worn-out runway centreline markings that could impair pilot visibility during low-visibility landings. Additionally, rapid exit taxiway lighting systems were not functioning correctly, creating a potential hazard for aircraft movement on the ground. Of particular concern was the outdated obstruction limitation data around airports. Officials discovered that no survey had been conducted in over three years, despite substantial construction activity around airport perimeters. This oversight could lead to unaccounted vertical obstacles near flight paths.
Vehicle safety within airport premises also raised alarms. Numerous vehicles operating in ramp and apron areas were found without mandatory speed governors. The DGCA promptly revoked permits for these vehicles and suspended driving access for their operators. In the area of pilot training infrastructure, irregularities were found in simulators used by some airlines. In one case, the simulator did not match the aircraft configuration it was meant to represent. Moreover, simulator software had not been updated to reflect current aircraft technology, undermining training effectiveness.
The DGCA highlighted an incident where an Air India aircraft, scheduled to fly from Delhi to Kochi, was grounded after it was found missing a Cabin Defect Log—an essential document that records in-flight technical issues. The flight resumed only after a new log was issued. Additional operational delays were triggered during the inspections. One flight was halted due to excessive tyre wear, only departing after appropriate maintenance was completed. A DGCA official said repeated defects were observed on some aircraft, indicating either poor monitoring or ineffective rectification.
“All the findings observed during the surveillance have been communicated to the operators for taking necessary corrective actions within seven days,” a DGCA statement confirmed. The regulator has asked airports and airlines to implement immediate improvements and ensure strict compliance with existing norms. The ongoing review will next cover airports in Hyderabad and Kolkata. The regulator plans to carry out similarly rigorous evaluations at all major airports nationwide in the coming weeks.
The DGCA’s intervention follows earlier enforcement actions, including its directive to Air India to remove crew scheduling officials due to operational failures. Although not directly related to the Ahmedabad crash, the incidents indicate a broader pattern of lapses within India’s aviation ecosystem. Experts say the DGCA’s move is a much-needed reset to restore public confidence in flight safety. Aviation analysts argue that post-COVID expansion in Indian aviation must not compromise on operational discipline and safety oversight.
Industry stakeholders have called for sustained investment in technical training, automated compliance systems, and transparent reporting. A senior civil aviation expert commented that “urgent safety audits are not only reactive but must become part of the aviation industry’s regular practice.” With a growing number of domestic passengers and the addition of new aircraft to airline fleets, India’s aviation sector is at a critical juncture. Safety protocols must match the pace of growth. The DGCA’s decision to demand accountability within a fixed deadline underlines the regulator’s intent to enforce rigorous standards.
As India aims to become a global aviation hub, sustained compliance and proactive surveillance remain key. Whether this short deadline results in long-term improvement will depend on the willingness of airlines and airports to implement lasting reforms, not just cosmetic fixes.
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