India's DGCA Launches Comprehensive Audit Framework for Aviation Safety

New Safety Measures in Indian Aviation

New Delhi: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has introduced a new audit framework aimed at conducting a thorough '360-degree' evaluation of India's aviation sector, moving beyond the traditional isolated assessments.

This initiative follows the tragic incident involving an Air India flight from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, which resulted in the loss of 241 lives shortly after takeoff.

In a circular issued on June 19, the DGCA outlined plans for a comprehensive framework to enhance aviation safety and evaluate the entire aviation ecosystem.

Historically, safety and regulatory oversight in Indian aviation have been fragmented, with various directorates conducting inspections and audits within their specific areas.

In light of this, the DGCA has stressed that the new audit framework aims to integrate these assessments, focusing on safety management systems (SMS), operational practices, and compliance with regulations across all aviation sectors.

The objective is to provide a holistic evaluation of the aviation landscape, highlighting both its strengths and areas that require improvement.

These special audits will encompass scheduled and non-scheduled air operators, Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) organizations, Approved Training Organizations (ATOs), Flying Training Organizations (FTOs), Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSP), Aerodrome Operators, and Ground Handling Agencies (GHAs).

By employing a risk-based and integrated methodology, the DGCA aims to proactively identify systemic weaknesses, bolster resilience, and ensure compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) as well as national aviation goals.

These audits will supplement the regular regulatory audits conducted under the Annual Surveillance Programme.

The audits will be executed by multidisciplinary teams led by senior DGCA officials, with support from specialists in various aviation domains.

India continues to be one of the fastest-growing civil aviation markets globally.