DGCA Issues Stern Warning to Airlines

India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has issued a strong caution to airline operators and stakeholders, highlighting that inadequate advance planning for implementing regulatory guidelines poses significant threats to flight safety and could lead to widespread passenger inconvenience.

In a recently released safety circular addressed to all aviation stakeholders, the DGCA emphasized that timely and effective compliance with its directives—issued through Civil Aviation Requirements (CARs), Aeronautical Information Circulars (AICs), and other notifications—is non-negotiable for maintaining operational efficiency and overall aviation safety.

The regulator pointed out persistent shortcomings in preparedness, stating: “It has been noticed that there is a lack of the requisite level of preparedness to ensure timely and effective implementation of regulations issued by the DGCA. This has resulted in potential risks to aviation safety and inconvenience to passengers.

“This warning comes amid heightened scrutiny of the sector following recent operational challenges, including disruptions linked to the rollout of revised pilot duty norms earlier in the month.To address these gaps, the DGCA has directed operators to develop comprehensive implementation strategies well ahead of any new regulation’s effective date. These plans must account for existing resources, identify additional needs, and ensure all necessary tools and personnel are ready and functional. “Wherever necessary, functionality trials or dry runs shall be completed well ahead of implementation,” the circular stressed.

Furthermore, stakeholders are now required to submit detailed implementation plans—including data and results from any trials—to the DGCA before enforcement dates. Post-implementation, operators must monitor adherence to CARs, AICs, and directives for at least six months, providing periodic progress reports to the regulator.

Aviation experts view this circular as a proactive step to prevent recurrence of issues seen in recent months, where delays in adapting to new rules contributed to flight cancellations and network instability. The DGCA’s move underscores its commitment to prioritizing safety over schedule pressures, reinforcing that compliance cannot be reactive but must be built on thorough foresight.

Industry sources indicate that the directive applies broadly to scheduled and non-scheduled operators, ground handlers, and other entities under DGCA oversight. While no specific penalties were outlined in the circular, non-compliance with mandatory regulations has historically invited enforcement actions, including fines or operational restrictions.

As India’s aviation sector continues its rapid expansion, with surging passenger demand and fleet growth, regulators are increasingly focusing on robust preparedness to safeguard against systemic risks.

The DGCA’s latest guidance serves as a clear reminder that cutting corners on regulatory readiness could compromise the hard-earned safety record of Indian skies.

Signpost NewsDesk

Signpost News is an Imphal-based media house that focuses on delivering news and views from Northeast India and beyond.