In a damning indictment of India’s aviation safety protocols, a Parliamentary Standing Committee has released an explosive report highlighting severe lapses by Air India and the regulatory body, DGCA. The report raises serious red flags regarding the operational safety of aircraft and the lack of stringent oversight by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), putting thousands of lives at risk daily.

The committee’s findings reveal that Air India has been operating flights with recurring technical snags and poorly maintained cabin safety equipment. It pointed out that the aging fleet and inadequate maintenance schedules are a “recipe for disaster.” Furthermore, the panel slammed the DGCA for its “lethargic” approach toward safety audits, stating that the regulator has failed to enforce compliance on major carriers effectively.

Beyond hardware, the report also flagged concerns over pilot fatigue and the dilution of training standards, which violate international aviation norms. The Parliamentary Committee has recommended an immediate overhaul of the safety inspection mechanism and urged the Ministry of Civil Aviation to hold Air India accountable for its operational failures. This report has sent ripples through the aviation industry, demanding an urgent response to restore passenger confidence in Indian skies.