12 hrs ago
DGCA Reports Serious Findings in Four Indian Airlines’ Audits
India’s aviation regulator checked the safety systems of four major airlines.
It said the checks found serious problems, but it has not explained exactly what they were.
The airlines must tell the regulator how they will respond.
The regulator could take action if those responses are not good enough.
One IndiGo official said the airline had already responded.
Air India, SpiceJet and Akasa Air did not comment, while an Air India official said the airline was still awaiting the audit.
A United States aviation team is scheduled to review India’s regulator.
Separately, officials questioned whether a document used by the Drone Federation India was genuine, but its president denied wrongdoing.
The DGCA reported serious findings in August safety audits of IndiGo, Air India, Akasa Air and SpiceJet.
The airlines are expected to respond, and the regulator may take action if their explanations are unsatisfactory.
The observations’ specific details have not been disclosed; Level-1 findings require immediate correction, while Level-2 findings allow a set timeframe.
A five-member FAA team is scheduled to assess India’s aviation regulator from November 16 to 20, following the FAA’s previous assessment in 2021.
A separate MCA inspection alleged that the Drone Federation India submitted an inauthentic DGCA NOC; its president denied wrongdoing and said the matter is sub judice.
- Who
- The Directorate General of Civil Aviation, IndiGo, Air India, Akasa Air, SpiceJet, the Federal Aviation Administration and the Drone Federation India are central to the report.
- What
- The DGCA reported serious findings in four airline safety audits; a separate Ministry of Corporate Affairs inspection concerned an allegedly inauthentic DGCA No-Objection Certificate linked to the Drone Federation India.
- Where
- The audits and planned FAA assessment concern India. The separate prosecution mentioned in the report took place before the 37th Court, Fort, Mumbai.
- When
- The airline audits were completed in August; the FAA visit is scheduled for November 16 to 20. The FAA’s previous assessment in India took place in 2021.
- Why
- The audits preceded the FAA’s assessment of India’s aviation regulator. The separate scrutiny concerned a purported DGCA document submitted during an application to change the Drone Federation India’s name.
Regulatory concerns and possible action
Airline and DFI responses
Airline audit findings
Regulatory concerns and possible action
The DGCA reported serious findings at all four airlines and may initiate action if their responses are unsatisfactory.
Airline and DFI responses
The observations’ specific nature has not been disclosed; IndiGo said it had responded, while other airlines either did not comment or said they were awaiting the audit.
FAA assessment context
Regulatory concerns and possible action
The upcoming review follows reported aviation incidents and operational problems, including the June 2025 Air India crash in Ahmedabad and IndiGo’s December 2025 disruption.
Airline and DFI responses
India currently retains Category 1 status, and the articles do not state that the FAA has changed that status.
Alleged DGCA NOC
Regulatory concerns and possible action
The MCA inspection report said the document was inauthentic, recommended action against three DFI directors and company secretary Anoop Kumar Pandey, and a CVC complaint alleged officials failed to act on the findings.
Airline and DFI responses
DFI president Smit Shah denied wrongdoing, said the matter is sub judice and said the organization’s legal team is examining it; the allegations have not been established.
Legal provisions
Regulatory concerns and possible action
The inspection officer recommended action under Sections 448 read with 447 of the Companies Act.
Airline and DFI responses
The later prosecution proceeded under Sections 134(8), 129(7) and 128(6), without invoking Sections 448 and 447 in relation to the alleged NOC.
Key facts
- Audited airlines
- IndiGo, Air India, Akasa Air and SpiceJet
- Audit completion
- August
- FAA review
- A five-member FAA team is scheduled to visit India from November 16 to 20.
- FAA status
- India currently holds Category 1 status under the FAA’s International Aviation Safety Assessment programme.
- Finding levels
- Level-1 findings involve serious non-compliance and require immediate corrective action; Level-2 findings are less serious and must be addressed within a prescribed timeframe.
- Airline responses
- IndiGo said it had responded to the findings; Air India, SpiceJet and Akasa Air did not comment. An Air India official said the airline was awaiting the audit.
- Separate document dispute
- The MCA report said the purported DGCA NOC submitted by the Drone Federation India was not genuine, with a file number absent from DGCA records and a signature attributed to a retired officer.
- DFI response
- Drone Federation India president Smit Shah denied wrongdoing, said the matter is sub judice and said the organization’s legal team is examining it.
Sources
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