Winning Bizness Desk
Mumbai.Mumbai reports fresh concerns over Air India as multiple safety lapses have been detected during inspections carried out at European airports. The checks, conducted by European Union Aviation Safety Agency, flagged irregularities in aircraft operated by the Tata Group-owned airline, prompting regulatory attention back in India. The findings have raised questions over operational standards in one of the airline’s most crucial international markets.
Findings ratio rises close to danger mark
According to officials, the ratio of findings during inspections climbed to 1.96 in January, nearing the critical threshold of 2. If this ratio crosses 2, it could lead to stricter scrutiny and possible operational restrictions across Europe. The agency, headquartered in Cologne, shared its findings with India’s aviation regulator, Directorate General of Civil Aviation, triggering intensified oversight.
European market remains crucial for airline
Europe is considered a key international region for Air India’s operations, making these findings particularly significant. Any escalation in safety concerns could result in:
- Increased inspections at European airports
- Possible restrictions by certain countries
- Operational disruptions affecting schedules
- Damage to the airline’s global reputation
A senior DGCA official said immediate corrective measures were initiated to prevent any adverse impact on operations in European countries.
Regulator steps up checks after alert
Following the alert from EASA, the DGCA ramped up its own inspections of Air India’s fleet. The move was aimed at identifying and rectifying safety deficiencies before they escalated into compliance violations. The regulator’s intervention appears to have had some effect, with early signs of improvement emerging within weeks.
Recent data shows slight improvement trend
After intensified checks, the number of safety findings has shown a decline. The findings ratio dropped to 1.76 last week, indicating partial improvement in compliance levels. However, aviation benchmarks suggest that airlines with strong safety records typically maintain a ratio below 1, highlighting that Air India still has ground to cover.
Inspection process covers multiple safety parameters
Under the Safety Assessment of Foreign Aircraft programme, surprise inspections are conducted on non-EU airlines at European airports. These checks examine around 54 safety parameters, including:
- Emergency exit functionality
- Availability and condition of life jackets
- Aircraft documentation and maintenance logs
- Crew compliance with safety procedures
While the recent dip in findings offers some relief, continued monitoring remains essential. Authorities are expected to keep a close watch to ensure that safety standards stabilise and remain within acceptable global benchmarks.
