"DGCA Audit Reveals Alarming Security Failures in Airports, Airlines"

Not just in airplanes, but also in airports, there are significant security lapses, according to the aviation regulatory authority, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). After the horrific Air India plane accident that occurred in Ahmedabad, the DGCA conducted inspections across the entire aviation ecosystem in the country, which brought several shocking facts to light. Particularly, recent inspections at Delhi and Mumbai airports revealed several critical issues. The DGCA identified flaws not only in airport infrastructure but also in simulator training. The report released by the DGCA on Tuesday contained several key points. It noted that outdated data exists across the system, along with numerous procedural violations and an ineffective mechanism for identifying flaws. Operators were instructed to rectify the situation within a week. The DGCA stated that it is continuing efforts to identify and eliminate safety-related issues. A shocking revelation was that in one case, an aircraft was found to have worn-out tires.

Due to this reason, the departure of that aircraft was also delayed. Only after the tires were replaced was permission granted for takeoff. In another instance, it was found that the simulator used did not match the configuration of the actual aircraft. In addition to this, maintenance-related documentation was found to be inadequate, and safety protocols had been ignored. In one airport, even the runway markings were found to be incorrect, as noted in the report. The report also highlighted several other technical issues. These revelations have sparked criticism, with many questioning whether the DGCA and the country’s aviation system only began paying attention to airport and aircraft safety standards after such a severe accident took place.