Aviation Safety in India

A series of fatal plane crashes in December 2024, including the recent Jeju Air disaster, has claimed hundreds of lives and sparked concerns over aviation safety. 

• The recent incident involving an Air India Airbus A320 aircraft at Goa’s Mopa airport is another wake-up call for Indian aviation.

About Civil aviation in India

• The civil aviation industry in India has emerged as one of the fastest growing industries in the country during the last three years.
• It can be broadly classified into:
  • Scheduled air transport service which includes domestic and international airlines, 
  • Non-scheduled air transport service which consists of charter operators and air taxi operators, air cargo service, which includes air transportation of cargo and mail.

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Status of Indian Civil Aviation Sector

Major Safety Concerns for the Aviation Sector

• Runway Safety Issues: Runway incursions, excursions, and confusion are frequent safety concerns.
  • Over 50% of accidents occur during landing or takeoff phases, according to the IATA 2023 Safety Report.
  • The Goa Air India taxiway error in 2024 highlights runway confusion. The Kozhikode (2020) and Mangaluru (2010) crashes were due to runway overruns, causing 179 fatalities collectively.
• Bird Strikes: Engine ingestion and windshield strikes can lead to engine failures or structural damage.
  • The South Korea plane crash (2024) with 179 fatalities is suspected to involve a bird strike. The famous US Airways Flight 1549 (2009) landed in the Hudson River after both engines failed due to bird ingestion.
  • Airports near landfills or with poor wildlife management see higher bird strike rates, such as Ahmedabad Airport in 2019 (11 wildlife strikes per 10,000 flights).
• Human Factors and Fatigue: Fatigue among pilots and crew leads to impaired decision-making and safety errors.
  • IATA notes fatigue as a contributing factor in 20-30% of aviation incidents.
  • A survey by Safety Matters Foundation involving 530 airline pilots in India revealed that flight duties exceeding 10 hours, frequent tail swaps, and minimal rest periods significantly contributed to pilot fatigue. 
• Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT): CFIT occurs when an airworthy aircraft is flown into terrain due to pilot error or misjudgment.
  • CFIT remains a leading cause of aviation fatalities globally, especially in mountainous regions.
  • The Nepal crash in January 2023 killed all onboard, primarily attributed to pilot error.
• Air Traffic Control (ATC) Challenges: The growing air traffic globally has stressed ATC systems, requiring advanced navigation technologies and skilled personnel. 
  • The backlog in recruiting Air Traffic Controllers (ATCOs) in India was highlighted in a parliamentary report, emphasizing the need for prompt procedural resolutions to meet increasing demands​.
• Loss of Control In-Flight (LOC-I): LOC-I involves the inability of pilots to maintain control due to technical issues, adverse weather, or pilot error.
  • LOC-I accounted for 72 fatalities globally in 2023, according to IATA.
  • Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 (2014) is a well-known LOC-I incident where the cause remains speculative.
• Adverse Weather Conditions: Weather-related challenges like wind shear, thunderstorms, and icing conditions significantly impact flight safety.
  • Weather is cited as a contributing factor in 20% of global aviation incidents (IATA 2023).
  • The Taiwan crash involving Singapore Airlines in 2000 occurred during heavy rain, killing 83 people.
• Ground Handling Errors: Improper cargo loading, ground collisions, and GSE maintenance issues pose risks during aircraft preparation.
  • IATA noted that ground damage incidents cost the aviation industry over $10 billion annually by 2035.

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Comparison of Aviation Safety to Other Modes of Transportation

• Fatality Rate per Distance Traveled
  • Aviation: Globally, air travel is the safest mode of transportation in terms of fatalities per billion passenger-kilometers. 
    • For instance, the fatality rate for commercial aviation in 2023 was 0.03 fatalities per million flights, meaning a person would need to fly daily for over 103,000 years to encounter a fatal accident (IATA).
  • Road Transport: Road transport is significantly riskier. The fatality rate for cars is 3.1 deaths per billion passenger-kilometers, with road accidents accounting for 1.3 million deaths annually worldwide (WHO, 2023).
  • Railways: Rail transport has a fatality rate of 0.07 deaths per billion passenger-kilometers, making it safer than road transport but still riskier than aviation.
• Accident Rates
  • Aviation: Commercial aviation had only 30 accidents globally in 2023 (IATA), with a significant portion involving no fatalities.
  • Road Transport: Road accidents occur at a rate of 56.2 per 100,000 vehicles annually, contributing to both fatalities and severe injuries.
  • Railways: Rail accidents are rare but can be catastrophic, such as the Odisha train collision in India (2023), which caused over 288 fatalities.
• Impact of Accidents
  • Aviation: Accidents are high-impact but rare. For example, the South Korea plane crash in 2024 resulted in 179 fatalities, a significant number but a rare event.
  • Road Transport: Accidents are frequent but generally involve fewer casualties per incident. For example, India reports 400 daily road fatalities.
  • Railways: Accidents can be catastrophic when they occur, such as train collisions or derailments, often involving hundreds of passengers.

Key Initiatives Regarding Aviation Safety in India

• DGCA Oversight and Audits (1997): The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has been conducting regular safety audits since its establishment as the regulatory authority. 
  • These audits focus on airlines, airports, and ground handling operations to identify and rectify systemic safety deficiencies.
• National Aviation Safety Plan (NASP): DGCA has published the National Aviation Safety Plan (NASP) for the period 2024–2028.
  • The NASP is a strategy for improving aviation safety in India, and it’s aligned with the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Global Aviation Safety Plan (GASP).
  • First edition published for 2018-2022.
• UDAN Scheme and Safety Compliance (2016): Under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (UDAN), newly developed airports are inspected for safety compliance and wildlife management. 
  • This ensures safe and efficient operations while expanding connectivity to underserved areas.
• Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) Regulations (2011): These regulations address pilot fatigue by enforcing adequate rest periods and limiting duty hours. 
  • The initiative ensures better operational safety by minimizing human errors caused by exhaustion.
• Wildlife and Bird Strike Mitigation (2014): Recognizing wildlife strikes as a critical safety concern, the DGCA began rigorous inspections and introduced wildlife hazard management programs at airports to reduce bird strike incidents.
• GAGAN (GPS-Aided Navigation System) (2015): The GPS-aided geo-augmented navigation system, developed by ISRO and AAI, became operational to improve navigation and landing precision, especially in adverse weather conditions and challenging terrains.
• Collaboration with IATA and ICAO: India collaborates with international organizations like IATA and ICAO to conduct risk-based safety audits, adopt global best practices, and implement advanced training programs for pilots and air traffic controllers.
• Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) (2011): The AAIB was formed to conduct independent and thorough investigations of aviation accidents. 
  • It focuses on analyzing causes and recommending measures to prevent similar incidents.

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Global Safety Standards in Aviation

• ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs)
  • Established By: International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), 1947.
  • Key Features:
    • Govern aspects of international aviation, including safety, security, navigation, and environmental protection.
    • Defined in Annexes to the Chicago Convention (e.g., Annex 13 for accident investigation, Annex 14 for aerodrome design and operations).
  • Adoption by India: Fully implemented by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) since India became an ICAO member in 1947.
• IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA)
  • Established By: International Air Transport Association (IATA), 2003.
  • Key Features:
    • Put global industry standards for evaluating an airline’s operational management and control systems.
    • Mandatory for IATA member airlines.
  • All IATA member airlines in India (e.g., Air India, Indigo, Vistara) are IOSA-certified.
• Global Aviation Safety Plan (GASP)
  • Established By: ICAO, 1997.
  • Key Features: Provides a global safety improvement framework, focuses on reducing runway incidents, controlled flight into terrain (CFIT), and loss of control in-flight (LOC-I).
  • DGCA developed India’s National Aviation Safety Plan (NASP) in line with GASP goals in 2018.
• Flight Duty and Fatigue Regulations
  • Set By: ICAO (2011).
  • Key Features: Standardizes flight and duty time limitations for crew.
  • DGCA implemented Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) regulations in 2011.
• Enhanced Ground Proximity Warning System (EGPWS)
  • Introduced by: Honeywell (1996).
  • Key Features: Alerts pilots about terrain proximity, significantly reducing CFIT incidents.
    • Required for all commercial aircraft worldwide.
  • Mandated by DGCA for all Indian commercial aircraft since 2002.
• Pilot Training Standards
  • Established By: ICAO (2012 for training reforms, 2019 for UPRT mandate).
  • Key Features:
    • Includes upset prevention and recovery training (UPRT).
    • Standardized simulator training for emergencies such as engine failures and adverse weather.
  • DGCA implemented ICAO’s Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT) standards for all Indian commercial pilots starting 2019.
• Global Navigation and Surveillance Systems
  • ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast): Introduced by ICAO in 2007 to enhance real-time aircraft tracking.
    • Fully operational in India since 2014, enabling real-time tracking of aircraft.
  • GAGAN (GPS-Aided Geo-Augmented Navigation): Launched in India in 2015 to improve approach and landing precision.
• Global Collaboration
  • Aviation Safety Reporting Systems:
    • Programs like ASIAS (Aviation Safety Information Analysis and Sharing) in the USA, established 2007, promote data-driven decision-making.
  • Runway Safety Programs:
    • GAPPRE (Global Action Plan for the Prevention of Runway Excursions) introduced in 2021 by ICAO and IATA.

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Way Forward for India’s Aviation Safety

• Enhance Infrastructure and Technology: Expand airport capacity and improve runway design to reduce risks of runway excursions.
  • Deploy advanced wildlife detection systems, such as radar-based bird monitoring, to mitigate bird strike incidents.
  • Invest in automation and AI-driven systems for real-time flight and ground operations monitoring.
• Strengthen Regulatory Oversight: Ensure DGCA’s compliance with ICAO’s Universal Safety Oversight Audit Program (USOAP) recommendations.
  • Conduct more frequent safety audits for airlines, airports, and maintenance organizations to identify risks proactively.
  • Increase the independence and resources of the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) for impartial and thorough investigations.
• Adopt Advanced Safety Management Systems (SMS): Mandate comprehensive SMS implementation across all airlines, airports, and ground handling services.
  • Encourage data-sharing initiatives like IATA’s ASIAS program for predictive safety risk analysis.
  • Promote a “Just Culture” to encourage error reporting without fear of punitive action.
• Focus on Pilot and Crew Training: Expand the scope of Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT) and include regular simulator training for adverse scenarios.
  • Address crew fatigue with stricter enforcement of Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL).
  • Incorporate psychological training to enhance decision-making under stress.
• Improve Regional Connectivity and Safety: Ensure safety compliance at smaller airports developed under the UDAN scheme.
  • Upgrade air traffic management systems at regional airports to match the standards of larger hubs.
  • Implement GAGAN-based navigation aids in underserved and challenging terrains.
• Collaborate with International Bodies: Work closely with ICAO and IATA for continuous improvement in safety standards.
  • Leverage international expertise to adopt best practices, such as CFIT and LOC-I prevention programs.
  • Participate actively in global safety initiatives like GAPPRE (Runway Excursions Prevention) and fatigue management frameworks.
• Learning from Global Best Practices:: India should adopt Singapore’s approach to proactive safety management and pilot training.
  • Both airlines and regulators must be held accountable for failures.

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Conclusion

Recent aviation accidents highlight the persistent need for stringent safety measures, advanced technology, and proactive risk management. While global aviation safety has improved significantly, challenges like human errors, infrastructure gaps, and external hazards demand continuous vigilance and collaboration to ensure safer skies.