The surprise inspections revealed further systemic lapses in ground operations
India’s aviation regulator has uncovered a raft of safety violations at several of the country’s busiest airports, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai and Kolkata, raising alarm about routine maintenance and airside operations in the wake of a deadly crash earlier in June.
Following unannounced audits carried out since 19 June, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) found that Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMEs) had in several instances failed to comply with mandatory safety procedures, overlooked reported technical snags, and ignored work instructions specified in the Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM).
In one notable incident, a domestic passenger aircraft was delayed after DGCA officials identified severely worn-out tyres shortly before take-off. The aircraft was permitted to depart only after the tyres were replaced, the DGCA said in a report dated 24 June.
The surprise inspections revealed further systemic lapses in ground operations. At one airport, faded runway centre line markings posed a potential risk to aircraft during landing and taxiing. Multiple ground vehicles, including baggage trollies and support vans, were found to be in poor condition, and many airside vehicles were operating without mandated speed governors—prompting their immediate removal from service.
The regulator also flagged deficiencies in pilot training infrastructure, particularly simulators. At least one simulator was found running outdated software, failing to mirror the current configuration of the aircraft it was intended to emulate. The mismatch, officials warned, could compromise the quality of training and readiness of flight crews.
The checks form part of a wider surveillance effort launched after the 12 June crash in Ahmedabad that left over 250 people dead—the deadliest aviation disaster in India in over a decade. As part of its post-audit directives, the DGCA has asked all operators and airport stakeholders to initiate corrective measures within seven days.
Organisations must also submit a detailed Corrective Action Plan (CAP) within a fortnight. Failure to comply could lead to steep penalties or suspension of operating licences, the watchdog warned, adding that more special audits may follow, particularly at airports with repeat safety breaches or operational disruptions.