Less flight inspectors led to safety downgrade, says govt

The prime reason for US aviation regulator FAA downgrading India's aviation safety ranking was lack of sufficient number of regular flight inspectors, rendering DGCA's safety oversight ineffective, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Tuesday.

To overcome the downgrade, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has completed actions on six of the seven findings of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Minister of State for Civil Aviation G M Siddeshwara said while replying to questions on the issue.

DGCA also created 75 new posts of flight operations inspectors (FOIs) of various categories, of which 35 have already been filled, he said referring to the remaining finding of the FAA.

The FAA had lowered safety ranking of India to Category II from Category I which the country has been holding since 1997.

"Category II was assigned primarily due to the findings related to lack of sufficient number of regular FOIs, resulting in DGCA's inability to have effective safety oversight," Siddeshwara said.

To another question, the minister said the government would establish a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) "in place of DGCA" for better management of civil aviation safety oversight over air operators, navigation operators and those involved in other related activities.

The proposed CAA would also examine matters relating to the impact of financial stress on operational safety, consumer protection, environment regulations and monitor implementation of laid-down laws and rules, he added.