A recent nationwide safety audit conducted by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India's aviation regulator, has revealed significant safety violations across major airports in the country. The audit, prompted by the deadly Air India crash on June 12, 2025, in Ahmedabad, uncovered a range of critical lapses, including recurring aircraft defects, deficient maintenance practices, unserviceable ground equipment, and general safety breaches.

The DGCA's comprehensive surveillance covered vital aspects of airport operations, such as flight operations, airworthiness, ramp safety, air traffic control (ATC), communication, navigation and surveillance (CNS) systems, and pre-flight medical evaluations. Inspections were carried out at major airports, including those in Delhi and Mumbai, with teams led by the Joint Director General conducting checks during night and early morning hours to ensure thorough oversight.

One of the most concerning findings of the audit was the recurrence of defects on aircraft, suggesting that previous repairs were either inadequate or ineffective. The DGCA noted multiple instances where reported defects reappeared on aircraft, highlighting a systemic failure in monitoring and rectification processes. In some cases, defect reports generated by aircraft systems were not even recorded in technical logbooks.

Maintenance practices also came under scrutiny, with the DGCA uncovering instances where aircraft maintenance engineers (AMEs) failed to adhere to prescribed work orders and safety protocols. Safety precautions outlined in the Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) were sometimes ignored, and in certain situations, AMEs were not even present during snag rectification. Furthermore, line maintenance stores and tool control procedures were found to be lacking.

The audit also revealed issues with ground equipment, such as baggage trolleys and belt loaders, which were found to be unserviceable. At one airport, the obstruction limitation data had not been updated for three years, despite new constructions near the aerodrome areas, raising safety concerns. In another instance, a domestic flight was delayed due to worn-out tires and was only released after the required rectification was carried out.

Specific violations observed during the DGCA audit included a faded center line marking on a runway, non-unidirectional green lights on rapid exit taxiways, and life vests not properly secured beneath seats in aircraft. The corrosion-resistant tape on a winglet's lower blade was also found to be damaged in one instance. Additionally, the DGCA cancelled airside driving permits of several drivers and withdrew airside vehicle permits due to safety anomalies.

Following the audit, the DGCA has instructed the concerned operators to take necessary corrective actions within seven days. The aviation regulator has also implemented a revamped audit methodology to ensure greater thoroughness in future inspections. This includes a shift from siloed assessments to a more holistic evaluation of the aviation ecosystem, focusing on safety management systems, operational practices, and regulatory adherence across all aviation domains.

The DGCA has outlined various monitoring activities, including scheduled and impromptu surveillance checks and ramp assessments, to evaluate safety standards and compliance across aviation sectors. Special audits may be initiated based on mandatory triggers such as critical safety events, persistent regulatory non-compliance, safety audit findings, or operational disruptions. The findings will be categorized into three levels, requiring immediate, short-term, or long-term corrective action, with audited entities required to submit a corrective action plan within 15 days of receiving the final report.

The DGCA's intensified checks and revamped safety audit process signify a commitment to enhancing safety and regulatory compliance across all aviation entities in India. These measures are particularly crucial in the wake of the recent Air India crash and aim to prevent future incidents by addressing systemic failures and ensuring the highest standards of safety in the country's aviation sector.