DGCA Flags Major Safety Lapses At Key Airports, Warns Of Stern Action

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has uncovered a range of safety violations across major airports, including Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport and Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, according to a Times of India report.

The findings have raised serious concerns about operational discipline in some of the country's busiest aviation hubs.

The DGCA teams discovered aircraft being cleared for take-off with worn-out tyres, ground vehicles operating on runways without speed governors, and runway centreline markings in poor condition.

“Showcause notices are being issued, and airlines and airport operators must implement corrective measures within 7 days. Similar inspections are underway in Kolkata and Hyderabad. The message is very simple to each stakeholder: no compromise with safety will be permitted in any sphere and any lapse will invite strict action,” an official was quoted as saying by ToI.

Two DGCA units conducted the inspection, reviewing key aspects such as airworthiness, ramp protocols, air traffic control, flight operations, and mandatory pre-flight medical checks for crew.

Their observations suggest a worrying lapse in routine technical vigilance.

The audit reportedly found repeated instances of technical snags in aircraft, often tied to ineffective rectification.

Maintenance engineers were reportedly absent during key snag rectifications, and prescribed work orders were ignored.

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