In response to recent aviation safety concerns, including the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has initiated a series of Comprehensive Special Audits across the Indian civil aviation ecosystem.
DGCA expands safety net beyond routine checks
The DGCA has expanded its oversight beyond the standard annual surveillance programme.
The special audits will cover scheduled and non-scheduled airlines, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) organisations, flying training schools, air navigation service providers, airport operators, and ground handling agencies.
Officials confirmed that the audits will come with stricter penalties for non-compliance, including the grounding of airlines and possible suspension or cancellation of licences.
The regulator has outlined a three-stage audit process:
- Pre-audit phase (5–7 days): Preparatory review and data collection
- On-site audit (3–5 days): Physical inspections and real-time assessments
- Post-audit phase (10–15 days): Data analysis and enforcement follow-ups
Entities must submit Corrective Action Plans (CAPs) within 15 days of receiving audit findings. The DGCA will monitor the implementation of these plans closely.
Multidisciplinary teams lead inspections
To ensure thorough evaluations, the DGCA has deployed senior officials and subject matter experts across disciplines. These teams are focusing on:
- Safety Management Systems (SMS)
- Operational efficiency
- Regulatory compliance
- Crew and resource management
Audit triggered by recent accidents and global feedback
Officials said that the DGCA launched this special audit drive due to a series of aviation accidents, recurring violations, and observations by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
The audit findings will be classified into three categories:
- Level 1: Immediate safety risks
- Level 2: Significant but non-critical issues
- Level 3: Long-term observations
Non-compliance could invite severe penalties
The DGCA has made it clear: failure to comply with audit recommendations could lead to suspension of operations or cancellation of licences, especially in cases involving violations of safety norms.
With these intensified audits, the DGCA aims to strengthen India’s aviation safety landscape and restore public confidence in the system.
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