In a major safety drive, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has uncovered multiple lapses during a comprehensive night-time surveillance at key Indian airports, including Delhi and Mumbai.
The inspection, carried out by two teams led by the Joint Director General of DGCA, was part of a focused assessment order (DGCA-22034/2/2025-FSD) issued on June 19, 2025.
The surprise checks revealed repeated aircraft defects, poor maintenance practices, non-compliance with safety protocols, and deficient airport infrastructure, raising serious concerns about aviation safety standards in India.
Key findings include:
- Recurring defects on aircraft without effective rectification.
- Ground handling equipment, including baggage trolleys and belt loaders, found unserviceable.
- Tool control and work order procedures during maintenance were not followed.
- Unserviceable flight-critical components like thrust reversers and flap slat levers were not properly secured or locked.
- Safety precautions were ignored by some Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMEs).
- Defect reports were not logged, and several life vests were unsecured under passenger seats.
- Corrosion damage found on the winglet of an aircraft.
On the airport side:
- Faded runway markings, non-directional taxiway lighting, and outdated obstruction data due to unreported construction near aerodromes were observed.
- Ramp vehicles lacked speed governors; their AVPs were cancelled and driver permits suspended.
Additionally, a flight simulator was found misconfigured and running outdated software. A scheduled domestic flight was also cancelled after it was found operating with worn-out tyres, and allowed to resume only after proper rectification.
The DGCA has instructed all concerned operators to submit corrective action reports within seven days and confirmed that surprise audits will continue to identify systemic risks and ensure stricter adherence to aviation safety regulations.
The aviation watchdog reiterated its commitment to ensuring safe, secure, and regulation-compliant air travel in India.
