'Air Safety At Risk': Parliamentary Panel Flags Urgent Need For Overhaul Of Civil Aviation Reforms

Last Updated:August 20, 2025, 14:59 IST

A central finding of the report was the weakness of the DGCA, which the panel said suffers from acute staff shortages and ineffective recruitment mechanisms.

The committee’s review was prompted by heightened concern among lawmakers following the recent Ahmedabad air crash (File photo)

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture has issued a strong call for sweeping reforms in India’s civil aviation sector, warning that systemic shortcomings pose growing risks to passenger safety and the future of the industry. The panel, chaired by JD(U) MP Sanjay Jha, tabled its 380th report on overall reforms in civil aviation in Parliament on Tuesday after adopting it on August 19.

The committee’s review was prompted by heightened concern among lawmakers following the recent Ahmedabad air crash, in which an Air India flight bound for London crashed shortly after take-off, claiming the lives of 241 passengers. The incident, which shook public confidence, added urgency to the panel’s deliberations.

Strengthening the Regulator

A central finding of the report was the weakness of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which the panel said suffers from acute staff shortages and ineffective recruitment mechanisms. It recommended granting the DGCA both financial and administrative autonomy to strengthen oversight. Without such empowerment, the committee warned, the regulator would continue to lag behind global safety benchmarks.

The panel also voiced concern over the mounting workload of air traffic controllers (ATCs), who manage increasingly congested skies under high stress. It recommended the introduction of a Fatigue Risk Management System (FRMS), strict enforcement of duty-hour limits, and a long-term staffing plan to reduce fatigue-related risks.

Safety Oversight and Accountability

Highlighting unresolved safety deficiencies, the committee flagged the “serious risk" posed by the growing backlog of pending issues and called for time-bound enforcement and stricter penalties. It also pressed for a comprehensive safety review of helicopter operations, including mandatory terrain-specific pilot training, a uniform regulatory framework, and closer monitoring of state-operated helicopters flying in high-risk areas.

The panel underscored the need for systematic tracking of runway incidents such as incursions and overruns, which have been recurring in Indian airports. A dedicated mechanism to investigate and prevent such risks was proposed.

A Cultural Shift in Safety

One of the most notable recommendations was the adoption of “Just Culture" principles in safety governance. This approach encourages open reporting of errors without punitive action, protects whistleblowers, and helps create a culture of transparency. The panel stressed that such a shift is essential if India is to prevent accidents and move towards a proactive safety regime.

Infrastructure and Capacity

On infrastructure, the report urged the creation of a National Capacity Alignment Plan to ensure that airport expansion keeps pace with the rapid induction of new aircraft. The panel cautioned that the imbalance between growing fleets and inadequate infrastructure was putting unsustainable pressure on existing airports.

It also called for modernisation of air traffic management systems using artificial intelligence, greater professional representation in the Airports Authority of India (AAI), and a faster overhaul of airport technologies.

Building Human Capital

Manpower shortages were flagged as another bottleneck. The panel recommended scaling up pilot training infrastructure, adding more Flying Training Organisations (FTOs), inducting additional training aircraft, and introducing a ranking system for FTOs to improve quality standards. Alongside, it urged stricter enforcement of Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) and initiatives to address the mental health and fatigue of both pilots and ATCs.

Boosting Domestic MRO

Given India’s heavy reliance on foreign facilities for aircraft maintenance, the report pressed for expansion of the domestic Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) ecosystem. Tax reforms and targeted policy support were recommended to make India a competitive hub for MRO services, thereby reducing costs and dependence on overseas facilities.

The day-long meeting preceding the adoption of the report brought together key stakeholders, including Civil Aviation Secretary Sameer Sinha, senior officials from the DGCA, the Airports Authority of India, and the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, along with senior executives from airlines such as Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet. Representatives from helicopter operators also made detailed submissions.

Several parliamentarians participated in the deliberations, including BJP MPs Kesridevsinh Jhala, S Phangnon Konyak, Surendra Singh Nagar, Anil Firojiya, Tapir Gao, Rajeev Pratap Reddy, Anurag Sharma, and Rahul Kaswan; Congress MPs Imran Pratapgarhi, Neeraj Dangi, and KC Venugopal; John Brittas of the CPI(M); Mian Altaf Ahmad of the National Conference; Kumari Shailaja; June Maliah of the TMC; and Uday Srinivas of the Jana Sena Party.

The panel cautioned that unless systemic reforms are urgently undertaken, India’s aviation sector risks facing compromised safety, overstretched infrastructure, and weakened governance.

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August 20, 2025, 14:59 IST

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