DGCA flags major safety lapses at key airports, issues 7-day deadline for fixes

India’s aviation regulator has issued a seven-day ultimatum to airport operators nationwide after uncovering serious safety violations during a recent audit of major airports, including Delhi and Mumbai. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) launched a special inspection drive following the recent Air India crash in Ahmedabad, raising urgent concerns about aviation safety standards.

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The audit, which began on June 19, reviewed critical aspects such as flight operations, aircraft maintenance, ramp safety, air traffic control systems, and pilot medical checks. DGCA teams reported widespread lapses, citing poor monitoring and insufficient corrective action on known defects.

At one airport, crucial obstruction data hadn't been updated in over three years, despite ongoing construction nearby. In another case, a runway’s centre line marking was found to be faded. A flight was delayed due to severely worn-out tyres and permitted to depart only after urgent repairs.

The audit also highlighted troubling lapses in aircraft maintenance, including failure to log system-generated defect reports, non-compliance with issued work orders, and poor tool control. At several sites, unfit ground handling equipment such as trolleys and belt loaders were still in use.

One simulator used for pilot training was found to be misaligned with the actual aircraft configuration, and the software was outdated.

The DGCA has demanded urgent rectification from all concerned operators within a week.