Lok Sabha Question No. 152 (STARRED), answered on 2024-08-01
Subject: Flight Delays of Airlines
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri Dhairyasheel Sambhajirao Mane, Shri Chavan Vasantrao Balwantrao

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. : 152

(To be answered on the 1 st  August 2024)

## FLIGHT DELAYS OF AIRLINES

## *152. SHRI DHAIRYASHEEL SAMBHAJIRAO MANE SHRI CHAVAN VASANTRAO BALWANTRAO

## Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a)  whether the Government has held any deliberation with the airline companies to address the causes of flight delays and if so, the details thereof; (b) the mechanism in place to ensure effective communication between the
- regulatory body and airlines; (c) whether the Government has devised/proposes to devise any mechanism or guidelines for airlines to prevent frequent delays and if so, the details thereof; (d) whether the Government plans to provide training to aviation officials to acquire world class skills rather than relying on foreign institutions to meet its aviation training and production needs; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

(Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu)

- (a) to (e) A statement is laid on the table of the House.
- *****

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (E) IN RESPECT OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 152 FOR REPLY ON 01.08.2024 REGARDING DELAYS OF AIRLINES ASKED BY SHRI DHAIRYASHEEL  SAMBHAJIRAO  MANE  AND  SHRI  CHAVAN

VASANTRAO  BALWANTRAO. (a): Flights get delayed sometimes due to reasons such as weather, technical and operational issues. DGCA through its surveillance, spot check, night surveillance ensures that the airlines/operators take appropriate actions to minimize re-occurrence of technical delays and have sufficient manpower, spares and components to support maintenance. If any significant non-compliance is seen that may lower the safety standard and hazard flight safety, DGCA takes up the issue with the concerned airline to ensure that the timely action is taken to address the non-compliance. (b): DGCA has issued Civil Aviation Requirements (CARs) which lays down the minimum safety requirements and required to be followed by airlines to ensure safe aircraft operations. In addition, DGCA also issues circulars to airlines/ operators/ maintenance organizations which provide guidance for the implementation of CARs. CAR Section 2 Series C Part I on Defect Recording, Reporting, Investigation, Rectification and Analysis specifies the manner in which defects/ service difficulties in aircraft and aircraft components are to be recorded, reported, i n v e s t i g a t e d   and  analyzed  for  the  purpose  of  taking  timely corrective/preventive  action. design/ manufacture of the aircraft or its components including engines.

(c): Airlines take appropriate rectification action on the defects in accordance with manufacturer instructions for safe operation of the aircraft.  Frequent delays  may  also  be  due  to  lack  of  spares  and  components  to  support maintenance, non-availability of sufficient manpower, issues related to the DGCA through its system of surveillance ensures that airlines take actions to ensure safe aircraft operations.

(d)  and (e):  Government, through Training Division of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), is committed to provide comprehensive training to its aviation officials. The Training Division of DGCA caters to both technical and general training needs of DGCA officials, ensuring they are well-equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to perform their duties effectively. DGCA has also laid down comprehensive requirements in the form of CAR 147(Basic) specifying the ab-initio aircraft maintenance engineer's training institute requirements and CAR 147 on AME type training institutes  requirements.

Moreover, an established "Training and Development" system exist in Airports Authority of India(AAI) which plays a vital role in training of newly recruited manpower at the induction stage as well as training "in service" personnel through periodic refresher courses to re-skill and up-skill them. The Air Traffic Controller in AAI are trained as per the global standards at three Institutes in India i.e. Civil Aviation Training Centre, Allahabad, Hyderabad Training Centre at Hyderabad and National Institute of Aviation Training and Management (NIATAM) at Gondia. Likewise, Fire personnel are trained at specialized Fire Training Centers located at Kolkata and New Delhi. In addition, Indian Aviation Academy located at Delhi conducts domain specific Training and Management Courses for all personnel of AAI.

- *****