Aviation Safety in India: A National Imperative

Syllabus Mapping:
• GS Paper 3 – Disaster Management, Infrastructure
• GS Paper 2 – Governance, Regulatory Bodies
• Essay Paper – Public Safety, Accountability, and Urban Infrastructure

1. Introduction

The recent crash of Air India Flight AI-171 in Ahmedabad (2025) has highlighted the systemic gaps in India’s civil aviation safety architecture. While India boasts rapid aviation growth, this expansion has not been matched by institutionalised safety, regulatory autonomy, or infrastructure modernisation.

2. Current Status of the Aviation Sector

• India is the third-largest domestic aviation market (after US and China)
• Expected to carry 520+ million passengers annually by 2037 (IATA)
• Operates 140+ airports, with major upgrades under UDAN Scheme
• Dominated by IndiGo, Air India (Tata-owned), Vistara
• Regulated by the DGCA, a statutory body under the Civil Aviation Ministry

3. Key Findings from DGCA Surprise Audits

Area	Issues Identified
Outdated Infrastructure	Faded runway markings, poor lighting, old navigation systems
Technical Oversight	Aircraft cleared despite unresolved issues
Ramp and Ground Handling	Unsafe refuelling, worn-out equipment
Urban Encroachment	Airports like Ahmedabad surrounded by dense settlements
Hygiene & Medical Concerns	Cases like AI-130 raise fears of decompression, food contamination

4. Structural Issues in Regulation

• Weak DGCA Autonomy – Subject to bureaucratic control, lacks enforcement independence
• Manpower Deficit – ~400 officers for 700+ aircraft; well below ICAO norms
• Reactive Oversight – Acts after incidents, lacks predictive analytics

5. Consequences of Safety Lapses

• Human Cost: Ahmedabad crash is one of India’s worst in decades
• Public Trust Deficit: Passengers fear boarding after recurring lapses
• Economic Fallout: Flight cancellations, insurance premium hikes
• Global Reputation: Regulatory downgrades damage India’s credibility

6. Case Study: AI-171 Crash (Ahmedabad, July 2025)

Cause: Preliminary inquiry suggests a combination of navigation failure, poor visibility, and runway lighting malfunction.
Casualties: 130+ passengers and crew lost; significant damage to property due to nearby slum encroachment.
Implications: Raised questions on airport disaster management preparedness, pilot rest standards, and maintenance procedures.

7. Root Causes – Aviation Safety Challenges in India (Short Notes)

• Obsolete Infrastructure: Outdated navigation aids, poor runway lighting
• Urban Encroachment: Densely populated surroundings increase casualty risk
• Pilot & Crew Fatigue: Inadequate rest hours, unregulated flying schedules
• Privatisation Gaps: Safety oversight hasn’t kept pace with operational improvements
• Low R&D in Safety Tech: Limited investment in predictive tools and diagnostics

8. Key Steps Taken So Far

Initiative	Progress & Limitations
UDAN Scheme	Aimed to connect underserved regions and boost regional connectivity. However, safety aspects—like emergency response systems, weather monitoring, and staff training—have largely been overlooked during implementation.
DGCA e-GCA Portal	Introduced to digitize regulatory functions such as pilot licensing, approvals, and audits. While it improves transparency and record-keeping, it is yet to fully integrate predictive risk analytics or real-time inspection modules.
ADS-B Rollout	The Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B) system is being deployed to enhance airspace surveillance and tracking. This will help reduce collision risks, especially in congested skies, but its adoption is incomplete across rural and tier-2 airports.
AAI Measures	The Airports Authority of India has initiated runway resurfacing, lighting improvements, and signage upgrades in select high-traffic airports. However, these efforts are patchy and not guided by a unified national safety audit framework.

9. Legal and Ethical Dimensions of Aviation Safety in India

1. Constitutional Mandate – Article 21
• Ensures the Right to Life, including safe travel
• Negligence in aviation safety is a rights violation
• Courts emphasize the State’s duty to ensure public safety

2. Disaster Management Act, 2005
• Sections 35 & 36 empower Ministries to enforce aviation safety
• Treats air crashes as man-made disasters requiring audits and mitigation plans

3. Ethical Obligations
• “Do No Harm” principle – a moral obligation
• Recent crashes show neglect – both regulatory and ethical failure
• Safety must be prioritized over profit

10. Comparative Best Practices in Aviation Safety

United States – FAA
• Independent regulatory body
• Robust pilot and aircraft certification
• Transparent public reporting
• Continuous compliance over reactive inspections

European Union – EASA
• Uniform safety norms across EU
• Cross-border audits and enforcement
• Legally binding safety directives

Singapore – CAAS
• AI-based predictive safety audits
• Real-time monitoring of aircraft and crew
• Highest ICAO compliance score (99%)
• Risk-based inspection prioritization

Lessons for India
• Grant autonomy to DGCA (like FAA)
• Standardize norms across states (like EASA)
• Use AI-based risk monitoring (like CAAS)
• Publish safety rankings publicly

11. Way Forward

A. Institutional Reforms
• Make DGCA autonomous
• Enact National Aviation Safety Act

B. Predictive Oversight
• Use AI and Big Data to identify risks
• Schedule quarterly surprise audits

C. Infrastructure Modernisation
• GPS navigation, lighting upgrades
• Enforce zoning laws around airports

D. Crew Training and Human Capital
• Mandatory certifications and health protocols
• Regulate crew rest hours

E. Transparency and Public Safety
• Publicize airline rankings and audit reports
• Regulate food hygiene with FSSAI

F. Urban Planning Reform
• Redesign high-risk airports
• Align zoning with state policies

G. Global Collaboration
• Seek technical help from ICAO, FAA, and EASA

12. Conclusion

India’s ambition of becoming an aviation hub of the Global South requires prioritising air safety. The recent crash is a wake-up call for structural reforms in law, regulation, and technology.
Aviation safety is not merely technical—it is a question of national accountability and global credibility.

UPSC Mains Practice Questions

1. “India’s aviation infrastructure is not keeping pace with its rapid expansion.” Critically analyse in the context of recent air accidents.
2. Evaluate the role of regulatory autonomy in ensuring air safety in India.
3. Discuss the legal, ethical, and institutional imperatives of aviation safety as a component of national disaster management.