NEW DELHI, Feb 14: Aviation regulator DGCA today asked top officials of Indian carriers to strictly implement all safety measures stipulated in the rules and take immediate corrective steps in case any discrepancies were found.
The meeting came weeks after the US Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) downgraded India’s aviation safety capabilities to Category-II from Category-I and some other nations like Singapore said they would conduct additional checks on aircraft of Indian carriers.
Following the downgrade, aviation regulators of other countries could also seek to conduct their own safety assessment of the DGCA like the FAA, the Indian carriers were told at the meeting. Singapore has already warned that it would put Indian aircraft under stricter ramp checks.
Official sources said Director General Civil Aviation Prabhat Kumar directed the airlines to strictly adhere to the laid-down safety norms whether they flew on domestic or international sector.
The DGCA and the government have been taking several measures to fulfil the conditions imposed by the FAA after its safety audit in September and December last year.
The sources said these steps were being taken fast-track to aim at a review of the downgrade by the US aviation regulator as early as next month.
Earlier this week, the Union Cabinet also cleared the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Bill, with certain amendments recommended by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture, aiming at tabling it in Parliament before the end of this ongoing session next week.
Government has also approved the hiring of over 70 Flight Inspectors by the DGCA and provide them with market-based salaries.
DGCA also set up technical teams to carry out sudden safety checks on the aircraft of foreign airlines and charter firms and penalise them if discrepancies are found.
These steps and today’s meeting came in the backdrop of a meeting the DGCA chief had with FAA Administrator Michael P Huerta on the sidelines of Singapore Air Show earlier this week. (PTI)
Follow our WhatsApp channel