Why in the news?
The recent crash of Air India Flight, heading to London Gatwick, in Ahmedabad has sent shockwaves through the aviation industry and the nation, demanding to address the safety-related concerns. In this article, we have discussed India’s Aviation Sector Demands for Safety Measures
About India’s Aviation Sector
(a) India is the 3rd largest domestic aviation market internationally, only behind the U.S. and China.
(b) India’s skies are busier than ever, with over two hundred million passengers flying annually. Also, it is projected to reach five hundred million by 2030.
(c) India is expanding its cargo capacity, aiming to triple freight movement from around three million to ten million metric tons annually by 2030.
Global position of India
(i) According to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), India’s aviation operations as well as airworthiness rank better than global averages, with an Effective Implementation score of 85 %, up from 69 % in 2018.
(ii) India outperformed both the U.S. and China in segments like airworthiness and operations, showcasing huge regulatory improvements.
(iii) India emerged as one of the biggest aviation markets at the 81st International Air Transport Association as well as the World Air Transport Summit in New Delhi.
(iv) The upcoming Wings India 2026 Event aims to felicitate India’s aviation leadership. It is focusing on design, manufacturing, inclusivity, innovation, as well as safety.
Concerns of the safe and secure sector
(a) Regulatory Oversight and Crisis Management: India’s aviation regulatory body, the DGCA, has suffered censure for reactive enforcement rather than proactive safety measures.
(b) Overburdened Regulatory Framework: India is at a very low level in the global standards in the technical personnel per aircraft ratio. Also, Pilots’ working hours are long with very little rest, giving way to fatigue-induced error risks.
(c) Aircraft Safety and Maintenance: Trouble regarding load planning, appropriate air temperature, engine performance, and wing surface settings.
(d) Infrastructure and Airport Expansion: Reports indicate a lack of screening procedures, cyber attacks, and errors in baggage handling. Moreover, the closeness of urban development to airports has raised concerns about ground safety risks.
(f) Other persistent challenges include: Excessively high operational costs and fuel prices. Infrastructure bottlenecks at major airports. Environmental sustainability amid rapid expansion.
Initiative taken in India’s Aviation Sector
(a) Rapid Expansion and Infrastructure Development: India has doubled its number of operational airports from 74 in 2014 to 160 by 2025. Also, including heliports and water aerodromes. Major expansion projects include Varanasi Airport and new civil enclaves at Bihta (Patna) and Bagdogra.
(b) Digital Transformation: The Digi Yatra app enables efficient travel using facial recognition technology, fostering security and efficiency. The eGCA platform has digitized nearly three hundred aviation services, making efficient regulatory processes.
(c) Policy and Industry Growth:
(i) Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam (2024) aims to upgrade aviation laws and foster indigenous manufacturing.
(ii) The Protection of Interest in Aircraft Objects Bill grants legal authority to the Cape Town Convention and Protocol (2001), strengthening aircraft leasing and financing.
(d) National Aviation Safety Plan (2024-28): It ensures strategic direction for the administration of aviation safety in India. It contains the five National Goals:
(a) Goal (i): To achieve a continuous reduction of operational safety risks.
(b) Goal (ii): To make safety oversight capabilities more robust.
(c) Goal (iii): Implementation of effective State Safety Programme.
(d) Goal (iv): Increase collaboration at the international level.
(e) Goal (v): Maximise the utilisation of industry programmes and safety information sharing networks by service providers.
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Way forward
(i) Strengthening Safety Regulations & Emergency Preparedness: There is a need to rebuild the DGCA into a more autonomous and tech-efficient organisation.
(ii) Improving Aircraft Maintenance and Checks: Regular maintenance should go beyond minimum regulatory requirements. Airlines need to pay attention to efficient safety measures, confirming that no mechanical or technical issue is avoided.
(iii) Crisis Management and Response Protocols: Emergency teams should conduct regular drills to improve efficiency in disaster response. Moreover, aid the affected communities more effectively. Simulated crisis scenarios should be more regular, and pilots must have the capability to make of best viable decision. As all these skills help to react effectively and instantly under pressure.
(iv) Data-Driven Monitoring: Come up with countrywide real-time aircraft health monitoring systems (similar to FOQA—Flight Operational Quality Assurance programs).
(v) Learning from Global Best Practices: India can learn from other countries with robust aviation safety records, implementing regulations that have proven effective worldwide.
Conclusion
India’s aspiration to become a global aviation hub must be backed by zero-tolerance safety regimes, transparent audits, as well as institutional integrity in aviation governance. Profitability cannot override passenger safety. As the industry grows bigger, air safety must be the foremost priority, not an afterthought.