Lok Sabha Question No. 1404 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-13
Subject: Safety Standards for Airlines
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Smt. Manju Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 1404

(To be answered on the 13 th  February 2025)

## SAFETY STANDARDS FOR AIRLINES

## 1404. SMT MANJU SHARMA

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether it is true that some airline companies in the country are not complying with safety standards and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether it is also true that some aircrafts made emergency landings recently due to the said deficiencies and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the action taken by the Government against Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in this regard so far?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)

- (a): The violations of safety norms by the airlines are monitored by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and based on the severity of the violation, actions are taken. Details of action taken on airlines for the violations of safety norms during the year 2024 are attached as Annexure-A.
- (b): No aircraft made emergency landing due to the violations of the safety norms mentioned in the Annexure-A.
- (c): DGCA carries out surveillances/audits at regular intervals vide published Annual Surveillance Program (ASP) on needs basis to ensure that continued compliance is maintained by airlines. Violations to the extant Rules & regulations are dealt as per Enforcement policy and procedure manual and enforcement actions as deemed fit are taken by DGCA.
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## ANNEXURE-A

| Enforcement actions by Air Safety Directorate   | Enforcement actions by Air Safety Directorate   | Enforcement actions by Air Safety Directorate   | Enforcement actions by Air Safety Directorate                                      |
|-------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| S. No.                                          | Airline                                         | Violation                                       | Enforcement Action                                                                 |
| 1                                               | M/s Air India Ltd.                              | Unauthorized entry into cockpit                 | Warning issued to Accountable Manager of M/s Air India vide order dated 15.07.2024 |

| Enforcement actions by Flight Standards Directorate   | Enforcement actions by Flight Standards Directorate   | Enforcement actions by Flight Standards Directorate                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   | Enforcement actions by Flight Standards Directorate   | Enforcement actions by Flight Standards Directorate   |
|-------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------|
| Sr. No.                                               | Post Holder/Operator/ Air lines                       | Subject                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               | Action taken/Date                                     | Penalty (If any)                                      |
| 1                                                     | M/s Air India Limited                                 | Whereas M/s Air India vide e-mail dated 01.01.2024 has submitted data regarding cancelled/delayed/diverted fights for 10th Dec 2023 to 28th Dec 2023 period.( Letter No- 22031/2/2024-FSD)                                                                                                                                                                                                            | Order issued on 17.01.2024                            | Thirty lakh,                                          |
| 2                                                     | M/s Spice Jet                                         | Whereas M/s Spice Jet vide e-mail dated 27.12.2023 has submitted data regarding cancelled/delayed/diverted fights for 12th Dec 2023 to 26th Dec 2023 period..( Letter No- 22031/2/2024-FSD)                                                                                                                                                                                                           | Order issued on 17.01.2024                            | Thirty lakh,                                          |
| 3                                                     | M/s Indigo                                            | Whereas, data regarding flight diversions on 17th and 18th January 2024 during fog window were collected and analysed.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                | Warning letter on 22.03.2024                          | NA                                                    |
| 4                                                     | M/s Air India Ltd.                                    | Whereas, data regarding flight diversions on 17th and 18th January 2024 during fog window were collected and analysed.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                | Warning letter on 22.03.2024                          | NA                                                    |
| 5                                                     | M/s Blue Dart Aviation Limited                        | Whereas, it has been found that M/s Blue Dart limited had used validated Flight Simulation training device for the training at Paris, France (FR 108) and Brussels, Belgium (DK 161) of their personnel without obtaining user approval for the qualified device from DGCA. Which is violation of Rule 41 (c) sub-rule (4) of The Aircraft Rules, 1937 and CAR Section 7, Series-D, Part VI, Para 37. | order issued on 10.04.2024                            | Twenty Lakh                                           |
| 6                                                     | M/s Spice Jet                                         | Whereas, data regarding flight diversions on 17th and 18th January 2024 during fog window were collected and analysed.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                | Warning letter on 22.03.2024                          | NA                                                    |
| 7                                                     | M/s Vistara                                           | Whereas, spot audit of M/s Vistara Limited was carried out on 07th & 08th                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             | order issued on 14.05.2024                            | Thirty Lakh                                           |

|    |                       | February 2024. The scope of audit was limited to IOCC, Day of Operations, Crew Management System, Crew Planning, FDTL and ARMS audit reports, The fleet wise random audit reports were analysed for the month of October 2023 and January 2024.                                                                                                                |                                                                                              |                         |
|----|-----------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------|
|  8 | M/s Air India Limited | Whereas, spot audit of M/s Air India Limited was carried out on 30th & 31st January 2024. The scope of audit was limited to IOCC, Day of Operations, Crew Management System, Crew Planning, FDTL and ARMS audit reports, The fleet wise random audit reports were analysed for 15th & 20th December 2023 and 16th January 2024.                                | order issued on 22.03.2024                                                                   | Fifty Lakhs             |
|  9 | M/s Indigo            | Whereas, M/s Indigo Limited vide letter reg. no. IGOPS/DGCA- FSD/2024/280 dated 15.02.2024 requested for credit of the completed OJT for flight dispatchers. The practical training (OJT) for the twelve candidates mentioned in the letter have been completed before the candidates successfully passing in all the papers of Flight Dispatcher Examination. | Warning letter issued on 21.05.2024                                                          | NA                      |
| 10 | M/s Air India Limited | B737 aircrafts on route BOM/BLR-Sfo from Nov 2022 towards insufficient oxygen on board                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         | Order Issued 24.01.2024                                                                      | one crore and ten lakhs |
| 11 | M/s Air India Limited | Whereas, M/s Air India Limited has voluntarily reported vide letter no. CTE/BOM/ADMN/004 dated 10.12.2023 that an oversight error has occurred in training of Captain on B-777 aircraft, wherein the concerned pilot has not undergone Base Training as per provisions of CAR 7/B/XIX and approved OM-D of the operator.                                       | warning letter 17.09.2024                                                                    | NA                      |
| 12 | M/s Air India Limited | reported a serious scheduling incident vide re-mail date 10.07.2024 non-line released trainee first officer was paired with a non- trainer line captain to operate AI 921 dated 09.07.2024                                                                                                                                                                     | order issued 23.08.2024                                                                      | Ninety Lakh             |
| 13 | M/s Akasa Air         | Ground instructors and Airline Type Rating Program Compliances not met and Designated Examiner not CAT II and CAT III current and qualified.                                                                                                                                                                                                                   | order issued 17.10.2024                                                                      | Thirty Lakh             |
| 14 | M/s Akasa Air         | RNP TRAINING done on simulator which were not qualified for the same                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           | Suspension of Director Training and Director Flight Operations for 6 months dated 27.12.2024 | NA                      |

## Enforcement actions by Airworthiness Directorate

|   S.No | Airline           | Post holder             | Violation                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       | Date of action   | Enforcement action            |
|--------|-------------------|-------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------|-------------------------------|
|      1 | M/s Alliance Air  | CAM                     | CAM had failed to discharge the duties and responsibilities as Continuing Airworthiness Manager and has violated / not complied with the provisions of Sub Rule 6 and Sub Rule 7 of Rule 133B of Aircraft Rules, 1937.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          | 15.02.2024       | Warning                       |
|      2 | M/s Air India     | CAM                     | It has been observed that CAM has issued incorrect and irrelevant statement in respect of aircraft VT-RTS during the issue of C of A, and ARC. Improper planning of the scheduled task i.e. 500 FC/5 month on Airbus A350 VT-JRB, w hich is leading to unnecessary grounding of aircraft.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       | 15.03.2024       | Warning                       |
|      3 | M/s Air India     | QM                      | It has been observed that Quality Manager has issued Authorisation to AMEs to certify A320-251N aircraft fitted with CFM Leap 1A, not in line with the CAR 145. A. 35 requirement.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              | 15.03.2024       | Warning                       |
|      4 | M/s Spicejet Ltd  | CAM                     | A Level -1 Finding was issued to M/s. SpiceJet Ltd. dated 26.03.2024, Wherein it was observed that Due APU hours constraint APU operations declared inoperative and defect carry forward in MEL , CAT D for 120 days . Organisation has submitted the reply dated 01.04.2024, reply has been examined in this office at appropriate level and found not satisfactory, therefore It was observed that CAM had failed to discharge the duties and responsibilities as Continuing Airworthiness Manager and had violated / not complied with the provisions of CAR ,Section 2, Series B part 1 and Sub Rule 6 of Rule 133B of Aircraft Rules, 1937.                                                | 10.04.2024       | Oral counselling              |
|      5 | M/s Tata Airlines | Sia Accountable Manager | A Level -1 Finding was issued to M/s. Tata SIA Airlines dated 22.04.2024, wherein it was observed that during replacement of APU Fuel Control Unit Aircraft Maintenance technician slipped from the APU trestle front side (night shift of 15th April 2024 around 02:15 AM) on VT-TNE aircraft and injured. As per AMM and Organisation SOP, safety equipment such as helmet and safety harness were not available with the Certifying staff and associated maintenance personnel. Previously, a level 1 finding for the same violation was issued to M/s. Tata SIA Airlines Ltd dated 30.01.2024.During Investigation, it was found that the staff of M/s TATA SIA Airlines had not adhered to | 02.05.2024       | Financial penalty of ten lakh |

|    |                                |             | the procedures while carrying out maintenance thereby violated the provision of CAR 145.A.40, CAR 145.A.65 and Sub Rule 2 of Rule 133B of Aircraft Rules, 1937.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |            |                               |
|----|--------------------------------|-------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------|-------------------------------|
|  6 | M/s Air India Express Limited, | CAM         | During the preliminary investigation board carried out of by O/o DDG DGCA Western Region of VT- AXX (Boeing 737-8MAX) suspected Hard Landing at CCJ dated 15.02.2024. The AME has carried out Phase 1A as per AMM 05-51-01-210-801 of Hard Landing without mentioning any abnormalities in aircraft documents (Tech Log) and failed to carry out Phase 1B of the inspection mandatorily required as per AMM05-51-01 1, General Para G (2) sub para 2) a). Furthermore, during the routine DFDR monitoring, it was observed that the vertical 'g' at touchdown (VgTD) was 2.218g, accordingly CAMO was intimated of the same via email dated 16.02.2024 and CAMO department issued a callout on 16.02.2024 and informed the concerned personnel through email to carry out Phase IA and 1B inspection as per the relevant AMM guidelines but, by that time aircraft has flown 4 sectors including international sectors since 15.02.2024 and CAMO has failed to manage the requirements on time. | 27.05.2024 | Financial penalty of one lakh |
|  7 | M/s Air India Express Limited, | CAM         | During the preliminary investigation board carried out of O/o DDG DGCA Western Region of VT- AXM (Boeing 737-8MAX) dated 01.03.2024 operating sector TRV-DOH DFDR data revealed Hard landing. The CAMO has issued Callout for inspection of the regarding the high 'g' value of 2.174g at VgTD dated 04.03.2024 to AMO (M/s AIESL) which was accomplished dated 09.03.2024 and during this period 20 revenue flights were conducted including many international sectors and CAMO has failed to manage the requirements on time. (B)The AIXL CAMO was intimated by AIXL FSD Department regarding the high 'g' value dated 04.03.2024 revealed in routine DFDR reports, but AIXL CAMO failed to make any occurrence reporting of the same to O/o DAW DGCA as necessary and non-conforming to Rule 29E of Aircraft Rules 1937 and CAR Section 5 Series C Part 1.                                                                                                                                  | 27.05.2024 | Financial penalty of one lakh |
|  8 | M/s. Air India                 | Accountable | Organisation has installed and operated the Boeing 737-800 aircraft VT-TGG, with external livery ( promotional decals) without prior permission from Director General,                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          | 24.12.2024 | Financial Penalty of          |

| Express Ltd.   | Manager   | which constitutes a violation of 37A of the aircraft rules , 1937   | Rupees Thirty Lakh   |
|----------------|-----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------|

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