Are India’s skies as safe as they should be? Following a series of concerning aviation incidents, this question is gaining traction among the public. The tragedy of an Air India crash in June claimed at least 270 lives, casting doubt on the safety of the country’s air travel. The devastating event, involving a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad, has reignited discussions on aviation safety standards in India.
In response, Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, chief of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), affirmed India's air safety record, citing metrics from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). He stated that India often outperforms the global average in terms of accident rates per million flights, emphasizing that there were only two years within the 2010-2024 timeframe where the country exceeded this average due to major accidents.
While serious incidents remain rare, recent turbulence on Delhi-Srinagar flights and allegations of maintenance oversights have prompted fresh scrutiny. Particularly concerning is the situation with SpiceJet, India's fourth-largest airline. Findings from the Economic Times indicated that the DGCA had summoned SpiceJet’s leadership after alarming maintenance failures were reported by an external British aviation firm. Specifically, issues with propeller failures in two of its planes led to further investigation, revealing systemic deficiencies.
Kidwai disclosed that the DGCA's investigation prompted corrective measures from SpiceJet, including the suspension of management responsible for oversight. In another instance reported by Reuters, Air India's budget carrier faced reprimand for delaying engine part replacements and falsifying compliance records, with the DGCA noting a significant need for self-reporting among airlines.
Since 2020, Indian domestic carriers have reported a staggering 2,461 technical faults, raising concerns about flight safety. With IndiGo leading in the number of reported faults, the DGCA is pushing for proactive reporting cultures and stringent maintenance checks as air traffic continues to surge.
India has emerged as the third-largest aviation market globally, doubling its passenger numbers since 2014, necessitating a more robust regulatory framework. Kidwai noted an increase in scheduled aircraft operations and called for a review of turnaround times for aircraft to ensure thorough maintenance.
Despite recent accidents, preliminary data suggests that public confidence in air travel remains largely intact, with only a minor dip in traffic observed post-crash. Kidwai acknowledged that while anxiety is natural following such tragedies, it often dissipates as clarity is regained over time.
As India's aviation landscape evolves, maintaining safety standards will be crucial for sustaining growth and public trust.
