Lok Sabha Question No. 1411 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-13
Subject: Malfunctioning of Aircrafts
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri K Radhakrishnan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 1411 (To be answered on the 13 th  February 2025)

## MALFUNCTIONING OF AIRCRAFTS

## 1411. SHRI K RADHAKRISHNAN

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Government has noticed the cases of malfunctioning of aircrafts of private airlines during the last two years resulting difficulties to air passengers, particularly elderly and children and if so, the details thereof,
- airline-wise; and
- (b) the action taken by the Government against such airlines?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)

- (a): During operations, an aircraft may experience technical snags due to malfunctioning of components/ equipment fitted on the aircraft which require rectification action by the airlines for continued safe, efficient and reliable air transport service. These technical snags are reported by the flight crew on receiving and aural/ visual warning in the cockpit or an indication of an inoperative / faulty system or while experiencing difficulty in handling/ operating the aircraft. The snag is thereafter rectified as per the procedure in the AMM and may involve replacement of components, testing, servicing etc.

The details of cases of malfunctioning of aircrafts of private airlines during the last two years is attached as Annexure A1

- (b): DGCA has laid down regulations under Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) which requires that the aircraft is maintained in accordance with the manufacturer and DGCA guidelines and all snags reported on the aircraft are rectified before the aircraft is released for flight. Further, CAR 145 lays down the  requirements for the approval of maintenance organization which mandates the organization to have required manpower, equipment and literature commensurate to the type and fleet to be maintained. Under the

system, airlines are required to ensure that the aircraft are maintained in a continuous state of airworthiness and all defects are rectified. DGCA has a laid  down  mechanism  of  conducting  surveillance,  spot  checks,  night surveillance etc. of the airlines/ organizations and personnel to ensure all regulatory requirements are complied with to ensure safety of passenger and aircraft. The observations/ findings made during surveillance, spot checks and night surveillance are provided to the airline for taking corrective action. The action taken to correct the observation are reviewed to enforce corrective and preventive action. In case of violations, DGCA takes enforcement action in accordance with laid down procedures which may consist of warning, suspension, cancellation including imposition of financial penalty to the personnel involved/ airline.

- *****

## Annexure

## No. of instances of malfunctioning of aircraft of private airlines (year-wise) 2023 -2024(Till Jan 2025)

| S. No.                          | Name of the Airline                  | 2023                   | 2023                   | 2024 (Till Jan 2025)   | 2024 (Till Jan 2025)   |
|---------------------------------|--------------------------------------|------------------------|------------------------|------------------------|------------------------|
| S. No.                          | Name of the Airline                  | Total number of flight | No. of technical fault | Total number of flight | No. of technical fault |
| 1.                              | M/s Interglobe Aviation Ltd (Indigo) | 678,313                | 115                    | 610,061                | 118                    |
| 2.                              | M/s Spicejet Ltd                     | 71,131                 | 150                    | 46,079                 | 23                     |
| 3.                              | M/s Air India Ltd                    | 146,579                | 62                     | 135,280                | 66                     |
| 4.                              | M/s Vistara                          | 102,938                | 14                     | 98,501                 | 08                     |
| 5.                              | M/s Air India Express Ltd            | 36,248                 | 23                     | 66,616                 | 26                     |
| 6.                              | M/s Air Asia Ltd                     | 69,962                 | 16                     | 39,868                 | 18                     |
| 7.                              | M/s Big Charter Pvt Ltd (Fly Big)    | 5,214                  | 03                     | 2,093                  | 03                     |
| 8.                              | M/s Akasa Air                        | 39,773                 | 00                     | 38,162                 | 05                     |
| 09.                             | M/s Blue Dart Aviation Ltd           | 5,949                  | 01                     | 5,933                  | 01                     |
| Total Defect /Total Flight      | Total Defect /Total Flight           | 1156107                | 384                    | 1042593                | 268                    |
| Percentage of faults per flight | Percentage of faults per flight      | 0.033                  | 0.033                  | 0.025                  | 0.025                  |