Copyright Infringement not intended

Source: Business Today

Context

An Air India flight carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members crashed in India's northern city of Ahmedabad shortly after takeoff on Thursday, killing all but one of those on board.

India: A Global Aviation Power

Global Rank (Domestic Aviation Market)	3rd-largest (after U.S. and China)
Current Annual Passenger Volume	Over 240 million
Target Passenger Volume by 2030	500 million
Freight Growth Projection	From 3.3 million to 10 million metric tons
Growth Forecast	Massive domestic growth expected
Number of Airports (2014)	74
Number of Airports (2025)	160 (includes heliports and water aerodromes)
Major Expansion Project	Varanasi Airport
New Civil Enclaves	Bihta (Bihar), Bagdogra (West Bengal)

FAA’s Category 1 Safety Assessment and India’s Aviation Standing

• The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the United States, a globally respected aviation regulator, audited India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in October 2021.
  
  
• The audit focused on key safety oversight areas: aircraft operations, airworthiness, and personnel licensing.
  
  
• Post-audit, India successfully retained the “Category 1” status under the FAA’s International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) program.
  
  
• In April 2023, the FAA formally reaffirmed that India complies with ICAO’s international safety oversight standards.
  
  
• This allows Indian airlines to operate and expand services to the US, and to codeshare with American carriers, enhancing India’s global aviation reach.
  
  
• The recognition significantly strengthens India’s international aviation credibility and supports its aviation sector ambitions.
  
  

Air India AI-171 Crash and Global Investigative Response

• On June 13, 2025, Air India flight AI-171 crashed in Ahmedabad, killing all 241 people onboard and causing additional casualties on the ground after hitting a medical college building.
  
  
• It marked India’s deadliest aviation accident in over a decade, drawing intense global scrutiny.
  
  
• The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) of India initiated an investigation following ICAO’s safety protocols.
  
  
• Given the aircraft involved was a US-made Boeing jet, the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) joined the probe.
  
  
• The UK’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB-UK) also became involved due to the presence of British nationals among the victims.
  
  
• Boeing (aircraft maker) and GE (engine manufacturer) are participating in the investigation as per ICAO guidelines.

India’s Performance in the Aviation Sector

• In November 2022, India achieved an Effective Implementation (EI) score of 85.65% in the ICAO audit, up from 69.95%, significantly improving its global ranking.
  
  
• India outperformed the U.S. and China in airworthiness and ranks above the global average in aviation operations.
  
  
• This performance boosts India’s global credibility in civil aviation.
  
  
• Recognized at the 81st IATA & World Air Transport Summit, India is emerging as a global aviation leader.
  
  
• Initiatives like Wings India 2026, a biennial aviation event, underscore India’s focus on inclusivity, innovation, safety, indigenous design, and aviation diplomacy.
  
  

Challenges in Indian Civil Aviation

• DGCA’s Oversight: Often reactive rather than proactive, delaying preventive actions.
  
  
• Delayed Safety Measures: Actions typically occur post-incident, compromising prevention.
  
  
• Technical Staffing Shortage: Low manpower-to-aircraft ratio hinders maintenance and oversight.
  
  
• Pilot Fatigue: Extended working hours raise flight safety concerns.
  
  
• Operational Lapses: Errors in load planning, engine maintenance, and wing configuration impact airworthiness.

Systemic Issues

• Weak Airport Security: Due to inadequate screening of passengers and baggage.
  
  
• Cybersecurity & Baggage Management: Rising cyber threats and poor handling systems.
  
  
• Urban Encroachment: Unchecked urban sprawl near airports poses safety hazards.
  
  
• ATC Staff Shortage: Affects safe and efficient flight management.
  
  
• Underfunded AAIB: Limits accident investigation, and many airports lack Instrument Landing Systems (ILS).

National Aviation Safety Plan (2024–2028): Goals Reduce Operational Safety RisksStrengthen Safety OversightImplement State Safety ProgrammeInternational Safety CollaborationExpand Safety Data Sharing Networks

Way Forward

• Autonomy of the DGCA: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) should be made more independent and powerful, in line with worldwide standards such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency.
• Regulatory requirements: Airlines and maintenance organizations should strive for excellence in safety measures rather than simply adhering to the lowest permissible requirements.
• Proactively Address Mechanical Issues: Predictive maintenance and rigorous inspections are required to repair mechanical defects before they become disasters.
• Strengthen Accountability: Aviation stakeholders must accept responsibility and develop a safety culture in which preventive measures are valued over reactive fixes.
• Pilot Welfare: More emphasis should be placed on assuring pilot rest to prevent fatigue and proper aircraft load planning, both of which are critical for safe operations.
• Simulations for Emergency Response: Encourage regular skill training and realistic simulations to increase preparedness and efficacy in emergency response, as well as pilot decision making.
• Safety Measures: Implement FOQA (Flight Operations Quality Assurance) and advanced surveillance techniques such as satellite tracking and cockpit voice/data monitoring to improve real-time situational awareness and proactive safety management.

Practice Question Q. How can India ensure that its aviation sector's rapid growth does not come at the expense of passenger safety and strong regulatory oversight?