Introduction

The recent crash involving Air India flight AI 171 in Ahmedabad has once again underscored the pressing need to overhaul and fortify India''s aviation safety mechanisms. Despite rapid expansion in the civil aviation sector, India’s safety oversight, infrastructure modernisation, and regulatory autonomy have not kept pace with the industry''s growth.

Current Landscape of India’s Aviation Industry

• India ranks as the third-largest domestic aviation market, trailing only the United States and China.
• IATA forecasts suggest that India will handle over 520 million passengers by 2037.
• There are over 140 operational airports, many upgraded under the UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) scheme.
• Major players include IndiGo, Air India (now under Tata Group), and Vistara.
• The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, serves as the sector’s primary regulator.

Despite these advancements, critical safety practices in flight operations, aircraft maintenance, ground handling, and airport facilities remain insufficiently implemented.

Key Observations from DGCA Surprise Inspections

1. Aging Safety Infrastructure: Even major airports lack basic safety features—runway lighting is poor, markings are faded, and navigation systems are outdated. Safety gear like life vests is often unsecured, and aircraft tyres are in poor condition.
2. Repeated Technical Failures: Aircraft with unresolved technical issues were being cleared repeatedly. Maintenance routines and reporting standards are lax.
3. Negligence in Ground Operations: According to ICAO, most accidents occur during take-off or landing. However, ramp safety, towing equipment, and fueling protocols are inadequately managed.
4. Airport Location Risks: Older airports, such as in Ahmedabad, are surrounded by dense urban settlements, leaving no room for emergency safety buffers.
5. Health and Hygiene Issues: In the AI 130 incident, several passengers and crew members became ill, likely from contaminated food or cabin air issues. Weak medical screening and poor food quality checks were to blame.

Structural Challenges in Safety Regulation

1. Limited Autonomy: The DGCA’s placement under the ministry restricts its independence, allowing political and bureaucratic interference.
2. Manpower Shortage and Skill Deficits: With only around 400 officers regulating over 700 aircraft (as of 2022), India lags far behind ICAO standards.
3. Reactive Oversight: The DGCA tends to respond to incidents rather than proactively auditing and maintaining safety across operations.

India’s Global Safety Standing

• India scored 70.39% in ICAO’s USOAP audit (2022), significantly lower than countries like Singapore (99%) and UAE (98%).
• Several Indian airlines were previously banned from EU airspace for safety concerns.
• The US FAA downgraded India to Category 2 in 2014 for inadequate safety measures, though it was later upgraded.

Impact of Safety Failures

• Human Tragedy: The Ahmedabad crash is one of the deadliest in recent memory.
• Passenger Anxiety: Incidents such as AI 130 undermine public confidence.
• Economic Disruption: Delays and cancellations impact airline revenues and operations.
• Global Image Damage: Poor safety records can restrict India’s access to international routes.
• Higher Insurance Premiums: Carriers face elevated costs due to safety-related risks.

Root Causes of the Safety Deficit

• Outdated Infrastructure: Many airports lack modern safety systems due to their age.
• Unplanned Urban Expansion: Encroachment around airports prevents the establishment of secure perimeters.
• Training Deficiencies: Shortcomings in the training of pilots, ground crew, and maintenance personnel.
• Privatisation Without Oversight: Efficiency gains from privatisation haven’t been matched by safety regulations.
• Neglect of R&D and Safety Tech: Limited investment in innovation and advanced safety systems.

Initiatives Undertaken

• UDAN Scheme has improved regional air access but often overlooks safety integration.
• AAI has initiated upgrades like runway resurfacing and better lighting.
• eGCA platform digitises regulatory approvals and compliance tracking.
• New surveillance systems (ADS-B) are being phased in.

Still, these measures are fragmented and lack a comprehensive safety strategy.

Recommendations for the Future

1. Enhance DGCA Independence: Transform it into a fully autonomous body, modeled after the FAA (USA) or EASA (EU).
2. Adopt Predictive Audits: Leverage AI and big data analytics to foresee risks. Conduct regular, unannounced safety audits.
3. Modernise Infrastructure: Secure dedicated funds for upgrading navigation systems, lighting, and runways. Enforce airport buffer zones in urban plans.
4. Elevate Training and Maintenance: Implement strict rest-hour rules and bolster certified safety training programs.
5. Promote Transparency: Make audit results, incident reports, and airline safety scores publicly available.
6. Ensure Cabin Hygiene and Medical Safety: Establish enforceable food and medical standards with oversight from FSSAI and DGCA.
7. Urban Replanning: Collaborate with states to relocate or reconfigure outdated airports like those in Kolkata, Mumbai, and Ahmedabad.
8. Global Collaboration: Partner with agencies like ICAO, FAA, and EASA to strengthen institutional capacity and adopt international best practices.

Conclusion

As India sets its sights on becoming a global aviation leader, it must recognise that sustainable growth hinges on uncompromising safety. Coordinated reforms in regulation, infrastructure, urban development, and accountability are essential. Aviation safety must evolve from a reactionary concern into a strategic, long-term national priority—ensuring that tragedies like the Ahmedabad crash never recur.