Lok Sabha Question No. 3063 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-18
Subject: Technical Defects in Commercial Airlines
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Thiru Dr. S Jagathratchakan, Dr. Ganapathy Rajkumar P, Dr. Kalanidhi Veeraswamy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 3063

( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  18th December 2025 )

## TECHNICAL DEFECTS IN COMMERCIAL AIRLINES

3063.    SHRI S JAGATHRATCHAKAN DR. GANAPATHY RAJKUMAR P DR. KALANIDHI VEERASWAMY Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) the total number of technical defects reported by commercial airlines during the last five years, year-wise;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  assesses  the  risk  posed  by  recurring  defects  in  view  of  systemic maintenance or regulatory oversight and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  the  corrective  actions  taken  in  this  regard  including  enhanced  inspections,  pilot  training, maintenance directives or priority audits issued to airlines;
- (d) whether any response received from the commercial airlines in this regard and if so, the details thereof;
- (e)  the  number  of  investigations  completed,  actions  taken  and  penalties  imposed  on  airlines  found responsible; and
- (f) the further measures being planned or already underway to strengthen airline safety compliance, improve defect rectification mechanisms and prevent future safety lapses?

## ANSWER

## Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION      (Shri Murlidhar Mohol)

- (a): Details of technical defects in aircraft reported during the period from 2021 to 2025 are enclosed in Annexure-I.;

;

- (b): Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) monitors these defects by analysing Engineering Statistical Reports (ESR) and defect reports, reported by scheduled airlines.;

;

- (c) to (e): All defects reported by airlines to DGCA are investigated to ensure appropriate rectification and  to  prevent  recurrence.  During  the  investigation,  if  it  is  found  that  the  defect  was  caused  by careless  or  casual  attitude  or  due  to  wilful  negligence  of  technical  personnel,  DGCA  takes enforcement action against the erring employees.;

;

There are total 12 number of investigations completed and 12 enforcement actions have been taken by DGCA in  respect  of  violations  by  airlines.  On  7  occasions,  airlines  have  been  imposed  financial penalty.;

;

(f):  DGCA  has  a  structured  surveillance  and  audit  framework  in  place  i.e.  planned  and  unplanned surveillance of organization /aircraft, which includes regular and periodic audits, spot checks, night surveillance and ramp inspections across all operators, including continuous oversight of maintenance practices. In case there is a violation, DGCA takes enforcement action as per its Enforcement Policy and Procedure Manual.

******

Annexure I

| S/ N   | AIRLINES                            | 2021   | 202 2   | 202 3   | 2024   | 2025 (Till Nov)       |
|--------|-------------------------------------|--------|---------|---------|--------|-----------------------|
| 1.     | M/s Alliance Air                    | 04     | 03      | 07      | 51     | 01                    |
| 2.     | M/s Indigo                          | 179    | 215     | 246     | 46     | 101                   |
| 3.     | M/s Spicejet                        | 170    | 143     | 47      | 23     | 35                    |
| 4.     | M/s Tata Sia Airlines Ltd (Vistara) | 85     | 97      | 79      | 44     | Merged with Air India |
| 5.     | M/s Air India Ltd                   | 76     | 64      | 63      | 253    | 44                    |
|        | Air India Express                   |        |         |         |        | 95                    |
| 6.     | M/s Akasa Air                       | -      | 06      | 06      | 04     | 60                    |
| 7.     | M/s Star Air                        | -      | -       | 71      | 51     | 46                    |
| TOTAL  | TOTAL                               | 514    | 528     | 519     | 472    | 382                   |