DGCA Flags Maintenance Gaps at Major Airports
New Delhi: A safety audit by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) at major Indian airports, including Delhi and Mumbai, has uncovered recurring defects in numerous aircraft, pointing to lapses in maintenance oversight and repair processes.
The findings, announced on June 24, come less than two weeks after the tragic crash of Air India flight AI-171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, in Ahmedabad on June 12, which killed over 270 people, including 241 passengers and crew and approximately 29 on the ground.
The audit, launched under Order No. DGCA-22034/2/2025-FSD on June 19, 2025, was part of a new framework for comprehensive safety evaluations prompted by recent safety concerns, including the Ahmedabad incident.
Conducted by two teams led by the Joint Director General during night and early morning hours, the inspections scrutinised flight operations, aircraft maintenance, ramp safety, air traffic control, communication systems, and pre-flight medical checks.
The discovery of repeated defects highlighted systemic issues, with aircraft showing unsecured thrust reversers, Flap Slat Levers, and incomplete defect logs. Aircraft Maintenance Engineers, in some cases, neglected safety protocols or failed to address issues, while life vests were improperly stored, and a winglet’s corrosion-resistant tape was damaged. Ground handling equipment, including baggage trolleys, was found unserviceable, and maintenance work orders were often ignored.
Infrastructure deficiencies were also noted. At one airport, runway centerline markings were faded, and taxiway lights were misaligned. Obstruction data had not been updated for three years despite nearby construction, and ramp vehicles lacked speed governors, leading to permit cancellations and driver suspensions. A flight simulator was outdated, not matching current aircraft configurations. In one instance, a domestic flight was delayed due to worn tires and cleared only after repairs.
The DGCA stated that multiple cases of repeated defects on aircraft indicate ineffective monitoring and inadequate rectification action, and declared that the process of comprehensive surveillance will continue in future to detect hazards in the system. It directed operators to rectify all issues within seven days and plans ongoing audits to address systemic risks.
While the audit findings are not directly linked to the Ahmedabad crash, which remains under investigation, they underscore broader challenges in maintaining safety standards across India’s aviation sector. The regulator’s swift action reflects an effort to restore confidence in air travel following the recent tragedy.
– global bihari bureau
