DGCA Conducts All-Time High Oversight Measures To Enhance Air Safety

In a significant move towards enhancing safety standards in the aviation industry, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the aviation regulator, has taken stringent measures to ensure compliance with regulations through the conduct of surveillance activities on airlines, aerodrome operators, approved organisations, aviation personnel under its regulatory control to meet laid down safety obligations.

Extensive surveillance mechanisms play a pivotal role in safety, mitigating potential safety risks and enhancing safety margins across the industry.

During the year 2023, the DGCA intensified its safety oversight efforts, conducting a staggering 5745 surveillances (4039 planned surveillances, 1706 spot checks, and night surveillance) which is an all-time high. This marked a notable increase of 26 per cent in surveillance activities compared to the year 2022, emphasising the commitment to ensure compliance and safety within the aviation landscape.

Consequent to the findings of the surveillance conducted, enforcement action on non-compliant personnel, airlines, and other operators was taken.

A total of 542 enforcement actions were taken in the year 2023 witnessing a 77 per cent increase as compared to the 305 enforcement actions carried out for the year 2022.

Significant enforcement actions for the year 2023 included suspension of the approved training organisation of Air India and financial penalties on Airlines like Air India, Air Asia, Indigo, and Spice Jet for various non-compliances.

Enforcement Actions were also taken on erring pilots/cabin crew, ATCOs, non-scheduled airlines, flying training organisations, and aerodrome operators.

DGCA’s unwavering commitment to enforcing compliance underscores the critical importance of adhering to safety regulations within the aviation sector to ensure safer skies.