Aviation chief defends safety record

How secure is the sky of India?

It’s a query that many ask after the destruction of June India airline crashesWho killed no less than 270 individuals. Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, linked to London, decreased lower than a minute after it left Ahmedabad Airport in western India on June 12.

“The sky of India has all the time been secure – prior to now and till at the moment,” mentioned Fayez Ahmed Kidawi, President of the Normal Directorate of Civil Aviation (DGCA) – Air Security Group in India – in an interview with BBC.

If you happen to have a look at international security requirements, resembling these Published by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)Which follows the variety of accidents in one million journey, India is working always higher than the worldwide common. ”

“There have been solely two years throughout the interval 2010-2024, once we exceeded the worldwide common – these years when the primary incidents occurred.”

In August 2020, Air India Express Flight 1344 crashed After slipping from the coded desk in Kozhikode, killing 21 individuals. A decade in the past, in Might 2010, Flight 812 from Dubai She was overwhelmed by the runway in Mangalor and fell in a hall, leaving 158 individuals. The crash of India in June was the third of this nation within the nation 15 years in the past.

Whereas such main incidents are nonetheless uncommon, fashionable titles have raised new issues. From the Delhi-Srinagar journey, which has reached extreme disturbances, to the rising stories of upkeep and lack of coaching, the main focus is as soon as once more on questions on aviation security.

She shared the most recent Spicejet, the fourth largest and longest low -cost airline in India.

Economic times The newspaper discovered that the aviation organizer not too long ago referred to as the airline’s management after a sequence of disturbing outcomes – not routine audits, nevertheless it was established by a British airline.

The newspaper reported that it had began earlier this yr when two generators from the Disigit de Havilland Q400 confirmed untimely fan failures. The airline was alerted the Dowty followers, a GE -led UK producer, which has discovered injury to the inner stands of followers.

Every fan has holders with two races, episodes or tracks. On this case, the internal race is broken. As a substitute of treating the basis trigger, it was reported that Spicejet “” Proceed to use extra grease to [entire] The newspaper reported that the unit as a substitute of treating the basis trigger.

The report mentioned that the DGCA evaluate in April “revealed extra shortcomings, together with obstacles.”

Mr. Kidwai BBC instructed the problem of the turbocharged fan caught our consideration by means of a upkeep organizer at Spicejet.

“We took it with Spicejet and we had been certain to take corrective measures. We additionally found that senior administration was not absolutely conscious of this place. We now have taken measures in opposition to varied facilities who had been supposed to make sure compliance with the unique firm of kit and different laws. We now have directed Spaejet to take away and droop them.”

Just lately, Reuters I discussed that the flying monitoring reprimanded the Indian airline in March to delay the options to the necessary engine a part of Airbus A320 and forge the data to indicate compliance.

Air India Categorical instructed Al -Anbaa company that it had a mistake in DGCA and the implementation of “remedy and preventive measures”.

Mr. Kidawi BBC instructed this situation that the data was made by “self -reporting by the airline.”

“I cannot condone it [the lapses]. however [at least] We began getting these stories. This got here from the airline. Motion has been taken on this case. In our audit operations, we assumed our individuals to be extra warning and know if there’s any consideration and we’ll take note of us. “

In Might, Nili’s journey from Delhi to Srinagar confronted extreme dysfunction and chilly after about 45 minutes of takeoff.

In response to Airbus A321, which carries 222 passengers, the utmost vertical air currents – codifying the instruments adopted by the bills that had been eliminated and prompted the nostril injury. The crew declared a state of emergency and fell safely in Serenagar with out accidents. The organizer launched an investigation, Pilots have been grounded.

Mr. Kidawi BBC instructed the organizer that the organizer had “refined” his steerage for pilots who fly in turbulent situations.

For instance, if there’s a massive cloud cowl or any ritual fashion that poses a hazard – and “we clearly recognized what poses such a danger” – pilots now should take particular motion for a particular variety of marine miles earlier than reaching it.

“This will embody conversion, wandering or taking different applicable steps.”

Since 2020, the Indian native transport corporations have reported 2,461 technical errors, based on the information of the Federal Ministry of Civil Aviation. Indigo shaped greater than half (1,288), adopted by Spicejet with 633, Air India and its department Air India Categorical with 389 circumstances, as of January 2025.

“The reporting of obstacles has elevated by airways. This can be a good factor,” mentioned Mr. Kidawi.

“I cannot say that I’m happy with it. However I see the worth within the tradition of accelerating stories [snags]. It’s a lot better to attract the eye of the authorities to each impediment to take care of calm and function the aircraft. ”

“You will need to know if the time transferred for flights is [maintenance] Checks or not. “

Definitely, the calls for of the regulator have grown: India has emerged because the third largest passenger passenger market. Nonetheless, over the previous two years, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has confronted Budget discountsWhich displays a diminished monetary precedence for the sector.

As we speak, the nation scheduled corporations function roughly 850 plane – a big enhance from about 400 a decade earlier than solely.

The variety of air passengers has doubled greater than twice since 2014-15 – from 116 million to 239 million.

The variety of business airport has additionally seen a big increase-from about 60 to 70 years to just about 130-140 at the moment.

“In whole, together with each scheduled and limitless operators, we now have 1,288 plane beneath operation. By the top of the contract, we’re anticipated to function greater than 2000 plane,” mentioned Mr. Kidawi. (Non -ice operators embody rented airways, personal plane operators, air taxis and helicopters companies.

Did the most recent Air Index have the fame of air journey in India? Mr. Kidway mentioned that the information didn’t point out that.

“We seemed on the information to evaluate whether or not it had any impression on native or worldwide operations. There was no important lower in visitors. At most, we observed a really marginal decline for a brief interval, which impacts native and worldwide flights, together with some cancellation.”

“It’s regular for individuals to really feel anxious after such accidents. However with the passage of time, with extra readability and mode, this anxiousness tends to settle down. Time is a good processor.”