DGCA's Comprehensive Aviation Safety Audit

Prelims: Current events of national and international importance

Why in news?

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a comprehensive safety audit across India's aviation sector following tragic crash of Air India flight AI-171 in Ahmedabad.

• Safety Audit – It is a systematic, independent, and documented examination to evaluate the effectiveness of safety management systems and give recommendations for corrective actions to enhance safety.
• Previous DGCA’ safety audits – Different DGCA directorates conducted independent, area-specific safety checks (pilot licensing, aircraft maintenance, airport safety) without coordination, often planned or unplanned.
• Lack of holistic oversight – The isolated approach led to poor cross-department coordination, missed systemic risks, and limited focus on proactive, comprehensive safety assessment.
• New comprehensive aviation safety audit – DGCA launched a 360-degree Special Safety Audit, moving beyond fragmented checks to a holistic, ecosystem-wide evaluation to detect systemic vulnerabilities and enhance safety.
• Aim – To enhance safety, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance in line with global standards.

Key Features of the Safety Audit

• 360-Degree evaluation – The audit will assess the entire aviation ecosystem: safety management, operations, and regulatory adherence.
• Multidisciplinary teams – Teams will include experts from:
  • Flight Standards
  • Air Safety
  • Airworthiness
  • Licensing
  • Air Navigation Services
  • Aerodrome Standards
• Surprise inspections – Special audits and inspections can be conducted without prior notice.
• Categorisation of Findings
  • Level-1: Immediate Corrective Action required for critical safety risks.
  • Level-2: Short-Term Corrective Action for less urgent but necessary improvements.
• Compliance with global standards – The audit aligns with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs).
• Significance – It supports India's commitment to a world-class, safe, and efficient aviation system.
• Establishment of India as a global benchmark for aviation safety oversight
• It looks to restores the public confidence post-Ahmedabad crash

Reference

The Hindu| DGCA's Comprehensive Aviation Safety Audit