Regulators Cracking the Whip

As per professional analyst, the Indian civil aviation industry is set to become the third largest in the world by 2020 after the US and China, and the largest by 2030. There are bright chances that this prognosis could become a reality as the Indian civil aviation scene has been abuzz with activity in recent times. However, one development during the year gone by that can be credited with the spurt in activity in an otherwise sluggish industry, is the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) launched in the wake of the issue of an integrated National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP) in June last year. This has immediately boosted development of airport infrastructure especially in the hinterland and remote areas.

As per the latest reports, as many as 44 regional airports have been readied in the recent past for flights under the RCS. Regular flights under this scheme are expected to commence in a month or so from now. Indications are that 30 more regional airports are likely to be added to the list in the near future. Although there are reservations in some quarters in the industry about the viability and success of the scheme, there is also immense hope that this scheme will provide the much needed impetus to the Indian airline industry as it is the segment of regional aviation that has the potential to provide the next phase of growth in the Indian civil aviation industry. Another milestone crossed in the industry has been by the Indira Gandhi International Airport at New Delhi that has recorded an annual passenger traffic of over 50 million last year, the first airport in the country to be credited with this score.

While the industry has been credited with achievements that can be regarded as both glorious and inspiring, the regulatory authorities have been battling with some negativity as well. What is of concern is that there have been a number of cases in the Indian airline industry of violation of regulations, indiscipline, lack of professionalism, sometimes plain carelessness and negligence. All these episodes are fraught with serious implications for air safety. Last year, one pilot each from Air India and Jet Airways along with three members of the cabin crew failed to clear postflight breath analyser test for presence of alcohol in the blood as required by the regulations laid down by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

The DGCA has filed FIRs with the law enforcement agency in the case. In another case, on January 25 this year, a lady pilot as also a member of the cabin crew of Air India, tasked to operate a flight from Rajkot to Delhi, failed to clear a pre-flight breath analyser test. They have been grounded for three months by the DGCA. Another senior executive pilot and head of operations of the national carrier Air India is currently facing a probe by a committee under the DGCA for allegedly skipping the mandatory breath analyser test for a month.

The DGCA has suspended two electrical engineers employed by Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) for switching on the lights along a taxiway that was not in use. This led IndiGo aircraft, after landing at Delhi airport, entering the taxiway that was closed to traffic and coming dangerously close to a Jet Airways aircraft parked on the taxiway. Mercifully, a ground accident was averted only because of timely warning by an alert Air Traffic Control Officer (ATCO) at Delhi airport. Apart from placing the two engineers of DIAL on suspension, the DGCA has also held the two pilots of the IndiGo aircraft responsible for negligent conduct. The two pilots have been taken off flying duties for some time.

All scheduled carriers are required to impart security training to their security staff, cockpit and cabin crew at a facility approved by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). The BCAS has suspended the licence of IndiGo’s in-house security training facility due to certain lapses observed in their examination system. As any lapse in the area of security could have serious implications for the safety of the aircraft and passengers especially at sensitive airports in insurgency infested areas, BCAS was not in a position to compromise.

Despite the hype over bright prospects for the future, the Indian civil aviation industry continues to be afflicted with a number of ills. However, it is a matter of relief that finally the regulatory authorities have begun to crack the whip to eliminate the malaise that grips the industry.