Latest news with #CivilAviationRequirements
NDTV
2 days ago
- Business
- NDTV
What Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Said In Parliament On Air India Crash, Technical Defects In Aircrafts
Commercial airlines in India have reported a total of 2,094 technical defects between 2021 and June 2025, Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ram Mohan Naidu informed the Rajya Sabha on Monday. The year-wise data shows that 514 defects were recorded in 2021, rising slightly to 528 in 2022. The numbers then declined to 448 in 2023, 421 in 2024, and 183 defects in the first half of 2025. The Minister also provided data on passenger complaints received over the last five years. The DGCA received a total of 21,368 complaints from flyers over the same period. The highest number of complaints, 5,513, was registered in 2023. The annual breakdown includes 4,131 complaints in 2021, 3,783 in 2022, 4,016 in 2024, and 3,925 in the first half of 2025. These complaints reflect growing dissatisfaction and potential safety and service lapses in airline operations. This disclosure comes as a response to a starred Question raised by MP Mukul Balkrishna Wasnik in the Rajya Sabha. Mr Naidu informed the House that these defects, which include minor and serious snags, are required to be reported, investigated, and rectified under the Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Mr Naidu also outlined, "All aircraft operators shall have a system in their organisation to ensure that all defects, minor or others, whether reported by flight crew or observed by maintenance crew, are recorded and investigated for taking appropriate rectification action. All serious defects shall be intimated immediately by all operators to DGCA." AI171 Crash In response to a query raised about the current steps taken by the government to enforce safety standards, considering the recent AI 171 crash, the minister said that the DGCA has enhanced checks and inspections of critical aircraft components and systems. Safety assurance processes have been intensified to detect and resolve systemic risks. Additionally, Indian regulations are being continuously updated to align with international norms, including those laid out by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). While the decline in reported defects in recent years may reflect improved maintenance practices, the consistently high number of investigations and passenger complaints highlights the need for more robust safety enforcement. As a preventive safety measure, the DGCA, on June 13, a day after the crash, directed additional inspections of all 33 Boeing 787-8/9 aircraft operated by Air India. Of these, 31 aircraft have been checked, with minor issues found in 8 planes, which were cleared after rectification. Two aircraft remain under scheduled maintenance. An official investigation into the probable causes of the incident has been launched by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) under Rule 11 of the Aircraft (Investigation of Accidents & Incidents) Rules, 2017. The DGCA continues its systematic safety oversight through audits, spot checks, ramp inspections and night surveillance. The regulator's Annual Surveillance Plan (ASP) guides routine checks across all aircraft and airport operators. On Helicopter Crashes To a question asked by the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Minister of State Murlidhar Mohol said, "12 helicopter accidents have taken place in five years and the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has tightened safety for Char Dham operations." 12 helicopter accidents have been reported in the last five years, including seven in Uttarakhand, the highest among all states. Four accidents have taken place in Maharashtra and one in Chhattisgarh. The minister said, "DGCA has reinforced safety protocols for helicopter operations, particularly during the Chardham Yatra, with Stricter access control, improved helipad parking and slot management, mandatory pilot training upgrades, enhanced surveillance and safety audits and emphasis on Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to prevent future mishaps."
India Today
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Candid camera or creepy crew: What is 'breach of privacy'?
Shraddha Kapoor's viral video sparks outrage. When does a harmless video turn into a full-blown privacy nosedive? Just because someone's in the skies doesn't mean their boundaries should disappear into thin air. Welcome aboard the not-so-friendly skies of secret DOES BREACH OF PRIVACY MEAN IN LEGAL TERMS?Breach of privacy in India refers to any unauthorised interference with an individual's personal life, space, communications, or information without their explicit includes actions such as secretly recording someone, sharing personal photos or messages without permission, or accessing private data like phone records, emails, or CCTV footage unlawfully. Under Indian law, the right to privacy is recognised as a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution (Right to Life and Personal Liberty), as affirmed by the Supreme Court in the Puttaswamy judgment (2017).SMILE YOU'RE IN A CABIN CAMERAHere's what happened, Shraddha Kapoor, Bollywood's doe-eyed darling, was flying through the clouds with her rumoured boyfriend Rahul instead of being left in peace to sip her complimentary beverage, she was secretly filmed by a member of the cabin crew, who thought leaking a private moment was somehow part of the in-flight Tandon with a virtual chappal of justice, slammed the airline for breaching Shraddha's privacy. And rightly so. But let's unpack this, because whether you're a national heartthrob or just a sweaty commuter on the Delhi Metro, privacy isn't a privilege. It's a PRIVACY MID-AIR: MORE TURBULENT THAN IT LOOKS?Here's a little nugget for the legally curious. The moment you board a flight, you're not in a surveillance jungle just because the clouds are watching. Airlines operate under strict rules, particularly under the Aircraft Rules, 1937 and Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR), Section 3, Series M, boring and binding stuff, but it's all true.A flight attendant is not allowed to secretly film passengers. Period. Even if the passenger is flipping their hair like it's a shampoo ad. This act can be interpreted under Section 66E of the IT Act, which criminalises the capture or transmission of images of a person's private area without consent, even more so if it's intrusive and shared most airlines have internal conduct rules for crew members that explicitly prohibit using personal phones for such purposes. So yes, a breach of trust, policy, and possibly the VS GROUND: IS PRIVACY ALTITUDE SENSITIVE?Short answer? Nope. Whether you're at 30,000 feet or walking your dog in a Park, your privacy remains your fundamental right. The Supreme Court in Justice K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017) affirmed that privacy is a constitutional right under Article 21, the right to life and personal context matters though. On-ground breaches are easier to pursue legally because:There are clearer jurisdictional or public/private space distinctions are more can actually walk into a police station and file a the air? Trickier. You may need to file with the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) or take it up with the airline's internal grievance redressal system before it CAN I NEVER TAKE A PICTURE AGAIN? IT'S ALL ABOUT THE CONSENTTaking a selfie with a celeb at a public event? Cool, if they nod or recording someone (anyone!) in a personal moment without consent, on land, air, or Mars? That's a legal make one thing clear. No consent? No camera.- EndsMust Watch
The Hindu
29-06-2025
- The Hindu
Airlines not reporting unruly behaviour of passengers, says DGCA
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has said that airline operators either substantially delayed reporting to it incidents of passenger misconduct or unruly behaviour or not reported them at all. Pointing to increasing number of cases where passengers' rage or unruly behaviour posed a threat to the safety of the flight, other passengers and crew, the aviation regulator reiterated its earlier instructions that such incidents should be reported within 12 hours via email to the Chief of Flight Safety/Director Cabin Safety (In-flight services) and a detailed information be submitted to the DGCA within 24 hours of landing of the flight. The DGCA said the norms are applicable to all scheduled and non-scheduled operators and other operators who carried cabin crew on board an aircraft. The aviation watchdog had in its earlier circulars reminded pilots, cabin crew and director of In-flight services of their responsibilities under the Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) on dealing with unruly passengers. The latest advisory comes against the backdrop of several instances of unruly behaviour of passengers under the influence of alcoholic beverages, scuffle among passengers after heated arguments, sexual harassment of women passengers on board and even incidents with a potential to compromise the safety of aircraft operations. Going by the provisions of CAR, there are three categories of unruly behaviour: Level-1 refers to behaviour that is verbally unruly, and calls for debarment up to 3 months; Level-2 indicates physical unruliness and can lead to the passenger being debarred from flying for up to 6 months; and Level-3 relates to life-threatening behaviour where the debarment would be for at least two years. Besides legal action against cognisable offences reported in flights by respective law-enforcing agencies, guidelines were issued in 2017, which stated that complaints of unruly behaviour would be examined by an internal committee. It would take a decision on the matter within 30 days and also specify the duration of ban on the unruly passenger. During the period of pendency of such inquiry, the concerned airline may impose a ban on the passenger. For every subsequent offence, the ban would be twice the period of previous ban.
Arabian Post
21-06-2025
- Business
- Arabian Post
DGCA Mandates Removal of Three Air India Rostering Chiefs
DGCA has directed Air India to strip three senior officials of all responsibilities in crew scheduling and rostering, citing repeated and serious violations of licensing, rest periods, and flight‑duty time norms, according to its order dated 20 June. The order targets a divisional vice‑president and two crew‑scheduling managers, requiring disciplinary proceedings and immediate reassignment to non‑operational roles until reforms are enacted. Air India must report the outcomes of disciplinary measures within ten days, while the DGCA warns that further breaches could result in financial penalties, licence suspensions, or even revocation of operating permissions. The directive followed a post‑transition audit after the airline migrated from ARMS to the CAE flight‑and‑crew management platform, which uncovered unauthorised crew pairings and scheduling beyond permissible duty hours. Officials identified include Choorah Singh, Divisional Vice‑President; Pinky Mittal, Chief Manager, DOPS – Crew Scheduling; and Payal Arora, Planning – Crew Scheduling. The DGCA noted that these individuals were directly responsible for the failures in licensing compliance, rest‑period requirements and recency norms—a critical safety concern. ADVERTISEMENT Two long‑haul Bangalore–London flights on 16 and 17 May exceeded the 10‑hour flight‑duty time limit under a special dispensation, prompting a separate show‑cause notice to the airline's accountable manager. This regulatory action follows last week's Boeing 787 crash shortly after take‑off from Ahmedabad, which claimed 270 lives. Though the crew‑rostering order is not directly linked to the crash, it adds to the broader investigation and safety scrutiny surrounding Air India operations. The DGCA's move underscores systemic lapses in Air India's crew‑management framework. The regulator expressed 'serious and repeated' concerns, despite self‑disclosure by the airline, highlighting deficiencies in internal oversight and compliance controls. Air India has been instructed to implement corrective reforms to align with Civil Aviation Requirements, specifically those governing flight‑duty time‑limitations intended to mitigate fatigue. These revisions are timely: new pilot duty‑and‑rest hour regulations will take effect from 1 July, increasing minimum weekly rest from 36 to 48 hours and capping night‑operation landings at two. The DGCA's enforcement thus dovetails with wider efforts to bolster systemic safety in the aftermath of the Ahmedabad tragedy. Regulatory experts observe that such administrative and disciplinary responses are not anomalies. In May, the DGCA issued warnings regarding overdue maintenance checks on three Airbus aircraft, including emergency‑equipment inspections. Earlier in the year, Air India received fines totalling ₹30 lakh for pilot recency violations. Commenting on the broader safety landscape, former regulators note that consistent oversight is crucial in preventing fatigue‑related lapses and mechanical oversights. A sustained regulatory push is under way to restore confidence in Air India's operational reliability. Air India has yet to publicly respond to the DGCA directive. In previous instances, the airline has emphasised cooperation and accelerated internal reforms. As it enters the 10‑day deadline, the aviation community will closely monitor how the airline reshapes its rostering protocols and whether these measures signal a lasting shift in safety governance.
India Gazette
21-06-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Air India issued show-cause notice for two flights exceeding stipulated flight time limit, 3 officials removed for rostering violations
New Delhi [India], June 21 (ANI): The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a show cause notice to the Accountable Manager of Air India for violating flight time rules. The DGCA Show Notice to Air India reads, 'During a spot check, it has been observed that the Accountable Manager of M/s Air India operated two flights from Bangalore to London (A|133) on 16 May 2025 and 17 May 2025, both of which exceeded the stipulated flight time limit of 10 hours, in violation of Para 6.1.3 of Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) Section 7 Series J Part III, Issue Ill dated 24 April 2019. Air India has been asked to respond within seven days as to why appropriate enforcement action should not be initiated against them under the applicable provisions of the Aircraft Rules and Civil Aviation Requirements for the violations. In its notice, the DGCA stated that the manager did not ensure adherence to specific provisions under the Civil Aviation Requirements, and warned that enforcement action could follow if no response is received. 'Whereas, it is further noted that the Accountable Manager of Mis Air India Ltd. has failed to ensure adherence to the provisions and compliance requirements as stipulated under Para 1 and Para 2.4 of Annexure III of Civil Aviation Requirements (CARs) of Section 3, Series C Part Il. Now, therefore, you are hereby called upon to show cause within 07 days of receipt of this notice as to why appropriate enforcement action should not be initiated against you under the applicable provisions of the Aircraft Rules and Civil Aviation Requirements for the aforementioned violations,' the letter reads. 'Failure to submit your reply within the stipulated period shall result in the matter being decided ex parte based on the evidence available on record,' the letter further reads. Additionally, the DGCA also issued a notice against three Air India officials on the rostering team, ordering the Airline to remove them for alleged repeated violations 'Remove the officials from all crew scheduling and rostering roles. Initiate internal disciplinary proceedings and report outcomes to DGCA within 10 days. Reassign the officials to non-operational roles; no involvement in safety/compliance positions until further notice. Strict enforcement action for future violations post-audit/inspection could include: penalties, License suspension, and withdrawal of operator permissions,' the regulator said in its notice. Air India responded to the DGCA's order and said that it has implemented the same. As per the statement of Air India, 'We acknowledge the regulator's directive and have implemented the order. In the interim, the company's Chief Operations Officer will provide direct oversight to the Integrated Operations Control Centre (IOCC). Air India is committed to ensuring that there is total adherence to safety protocols and standard practices.' Earlier on June 20, Air India CEO and Managing Director Campbell Wilson reassured the public and employees that the airline's fleet -- particularly its Boeing 787 aircraft -- remains safe to operate following comprehensive checks, and that the carrier is exercising maximum caution in the wake of the AI171 tragedy. The Air India CEO assured the public and employees of continued support and transparency in the aftermath of the AI171 incident, stating that the airline -- and the wider Tata Group -- will stand by the families of victims and affected staff long after the immediate crisis subsides. (ANI)
