Are India’s Skies Safe? DGCA Responds to Air Safety Concerns After Air India Crash

As India’s aviation industry grows at an unprecedented pace, questions around air safety in India have resurfaced following the June 2025 Air India crash that claimed over 270 lives. The tragic incident has led many to ask: Are India’s skies truly safe?

In an exclusive interview with  the head of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), addressed public concerns and laid out India’s safety record, recent incidents, and ongoing reforms.

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India’s Aviation Safety Record: Still Better Than Global Average

Despite high-profile tragedies, Kidwai emphasized that India’s airspace remains statistically safe.

“If you look at global safety metrics, such as those by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), India consistently performs better than the global average,” said Kidwai.

Only two years between 2010 and 2024 exceeded the global average in accidents, both years involving major crashes:

• 2020: Air India Express crash in Kozhikode (21 dead)

• 2010: Air India Flight 812 crash in Mangalore (158 dead)

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June 2025 Dreamliner Crash Triggers Scrutiny

On 12 June 2025, an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed just moments after taking off from Ahmedabad en route to London, killing at least 270 passengers and crew. The investigation is ongoing, but the tragedy has intensified public concern over aircraft maintenance, pilot training, and regulatory oversight.

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Rising Technical Faults & Maintenance Oversight Issues

India’s skies may be safe on average, but technical faults are rising:

• 2,461 technical snags reported since 2020 (as of Jan 2025)

  • IndiGo: 1,288 cases

  • SpiceJet: 633 cases

  • Air India & Express: 389 cases

Kidwai sees the rise in reporting as a positive shift toward transparency:

“It’s far better for every snag to be reported than ignored.”

SpiceJet Under Fire

An audit of SpiceJet revealed troubling maintenance practices:

• Two Q400 propeller failures flagged by UK-based Dowty Propellers

• Internal bearings were damaged but reportedly treated with grease instead of proper repairs

• DGCA intervened and removed non-compliant senior personnel

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Falsified Records at Air India Express

In March 2025, Air India Express delayed mandatory engine part replacements and allegedly falsified records to show compliance.
The DGCA took disciplinary action, but noted the case was self-reported by the airline—an example of improving internal accountability.

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Severe Turbulence and Emergency Landings

In May 2025, an IndiGo Airbus A321 flying from Delhi to Srinagar hit severe turbulence and hail, dislodging bins and damaging the nose. The plane landed safely, and pilots were later grounded pending investigation.
New DGCA guidelines now require pilots to:

• Avoid dangerous cloud formations

• Divert or delay when weather risks are detected ahead

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Did the Crash Hurt Passenger Confidence?

While concern surged after the crash, air passenger data shows only a short-term dip.
India’s domestic and international traffic quickly rebounded, showing limited long-term impact.

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India’s Aviation Boom: 2,000 Aircraft by 2030

India is the third-largest aviation market globally:

• Passenger traffic more than doubled since 2014–15 (from 116M to 239M)

• Aircraft fleet grew from ~400 to 850+ aircraft

• Commercial airports increased from 70 to over 130

• Projected to operate 2,000 aircraft by 2030

Despite this growth, civil aviation ministry budgets have been reduced, putting added pressure on the DGCA to maintain safety oversight with limited resources.

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DGCA’s Response: More Audits, Stronger Compliance

DGCA’s ongoing actions to improve flight safety in India include:

• Stricter audits of airlines and maintenance routines

• Disciplinary action against negligent personnel

• Enhanced turbulence and weather safety protocols

• Greater encouragement for self-reporting and transparency

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Conclusion: Are India’s Skies Safe?

While no aviation system is perfect, the DGCA insists India’s airspace remains safe by global standards. Growing pains are visible, and recent incidents have highlighted serious lapses, but systemic reform and increased accountability are underway.

“It’s natural for people to feel anxious after major incidents,” Kidwai said. “But with time, transparency, and stronger regulations, confidence in Indian aviation will be restored.”

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