DGCA tightens oversight on charter aviation, Pg6

Key Highlights:

• Recent flight incidents in Baramati, Simaria, and the Andamans highlight safety concerns in India's charter aviation sector.
• The DGCA held a meeting with 133 non-scheduled operators (NSOs) on February 24, 2026, to address these concerns.
• Proposals include ranking charter operators based on safety performance and disclosing safety information like aircraft age and pilot experience.
• The DGCA emphasized that commercial considerations should not compromise safety standards.

Detailed Insights:

• The charter aviation sector is expanding, increasing the urgency for stricter oversight and regulation.
• The DGCA will focus on maintenance standards, especially for operators with in-house maintenance, repair, and operation (MRO) facilities.
• Measures such as cockpit voice recorder audits, scrutiny of fuel records and ADS-B data, and enforcement of flight duty time limitations are being implemented.
• Adverse weather has been a factor in past accidents, necessitating recurrent pilot training on weather awareness and decision-making.
• The Civil Aviation Minister has announced a thorough study of flight operations by NSOs and at uncontrolled airfields.
• Addressing gaps in pilot training, the shortage of simulator training centers, and the lack of quality instructors are crucial for improving safety.
• Consistent enforcement and transparency are essential for the success of any safety drive in the charter aviation sector.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA): The regulatory body for civil aviation in India, responsible for safety oversight and enforcement.
• Non-Scheduled Operators (NSOs): Companies operating charter flights using fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, distinct from scheduled commercial airlines.
• ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast): A surveillance technology where an aircraft determines its position via satellite navigation and periodically broadcasts it.