In the wake of significant disruptions and safety concerns within the aviation sector, a parliamentary panel on transport, tourism, and civil aviation is preparing to summon all major airlines and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). This decisive action follows a period marked by mass cancellations of flights, most notably those of IndiGo, and increased scrutiny regarding air safety standards.
The panel, led by Sanjay Kumar Jha, aims to address the reasons behind the recent chaos and formulate strategies to prevent similar incidents in the future. The unprecedented nature of the situation, which has affected travel plans for thousands, has prompted the committee to seek explanations from both the airlines and the regulatory bodies. Panel members have voiced concerns over potential systemic issues within the aviation sector, such as manpower shortages, strained crew-management systems, and regulatory oversight gaps. Furthermore, the panel intends to investigate allegations of unfair practices, including abnormal fare increases by rival airlines seeking to capitalize on the disruptions.
The summons also reflects growing anxiety about aviation safety, particularly after the Air India flight AI171 crash in June that killed all 241 people on board. The committee is expected to question senior officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the DGCA, and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) to gain a comprehensive understanding of safety protocols and regulatory enforcement. The DGCA's recent suspension of Aryan Aviation's operations for the Char Dham Yatra, following a helicopter crash in Kedarnath, further underscores the need for stringent safety measures, especially in challenging terrains.
Rajiv Pratap Rudy, a member of the committee and a former Union Civil Aviation Minister, is expected to contribute valuable insights, particularly concerning regulatory enforcement and flight crew training. The panel's discussions will likely encompass preventive mechanisms, weather-related flight protocols, helicopter safety, and the enforcement of penalties for operational violations. The committee will also address concerns about discrepancies in user and tariff charges between Airports Authority of India (AAI)-operated and private airports. Dissatisfaction has been expressed with the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA)'s explanation of its tariff calculation mechanism.
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC), headed by K C Venugopal, has also called for a complete safety audit by the DGCA of all aircraft. In addition to safety concerns, the PAC is scrutinizing the "arbitrary" surge in air ticket prices during peak demand periods. While the DGCA has stated its intention to develop a mechanism against price surges, some committee members have questioned whether unfair practices will persist in the absence of a consensus among airlines. The aviation regulator's authority to take action against such practices has also been emphasized.
