DGCA launches comprehensive safety audit to ensure aviation safety-OxBig News Network

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a comprehensive safety audit to provide a holistic evaluation of the aviation sector by meticulously examining safety, operational efficiency and regulatory compliance.

The aviation regulator’s new audit framework is expected to proactively identify systemic vulnerabilities, enhance resilience and ensure strict adherence to the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and India’s national aviation objectives.

The move to strengthen the safety infrastructure comes days after the tragic crash of London-bound Air India flight AI-171 moments after takeoff in Ahmedabad, killing 241 people on board and about 30 people on the ground on June 12, 2025.

The DGCA said in a circular that traditionally, regulatory and safety oversight functions within Indian aviation have been conducted in silos, with different directorates performing inspections and audits specific to their respective domains. These activities included planned/unplanned surveillance inspections, random spot checks and ramp inspections, which primarily assessed compliance and safety within individual aviation.

360-degree evaluation

“In a significant paradigm shift, the Comprehensive Special Audit is designed to transcend existing siloed assessments by evaluating the aviation eoosystem holistically. This special audit will focus on examining the Safety Management Systems (SMS), operational practices, and regulatory adherence across all aviation domains. The goal is to generate a 360-degree evaluation of the aviation ecosystem, reflecting both its strengths and areas needing improvement,” the circular said.

The special audits would be conducted by multidisciplinary teams led by a senior DGCA official as the Lead Auditor, supported by specialists from Flight Standards, Air Safety, Airworthiness, Airspace & Air Navigation Services, Licensing, and Aerodrome Standards directorates. The teams would conduct surprise inspections or special audits as and when required.

The audit process would be a combination of techniques, including document and record reviews to verify compliance, on-site inspections of facilities and equipment, structured interviews with management and operational staff, simulation and training, record checks, and safety data trend analysis.

The special audits could be initiated based on mandatory triggers, such as critical safety events (serious incidents or accidents), persistent regulatory non-compliance, operational disruptions etc. The audit findings would be under two categories namely Immediate Corrective Action (Level-1) and Short-Term Corrective Action (Level 2).

The initiative, the DGCA said, would reinforce India’s commitment to a world-class aviation ecosystem. By addressing safety, efficiency, and sustainability through a collaborative, data-driven approach, the aviation regulator aimed to set a global benchmark for aviation safety oversight.