Three recent aviation accidents in the Non-Scheduled Operators (NSO) sector have raised concerns over regulatory oversight, VIP pressure culture, and systemic safety gaps in India’s fast-growing private aviation segment.
Recent Incidents (January 2025)
- Baramati, Maharashtra: Former Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar and four other persons on board an aircraft, Learjet 45XR operated by VSR Ventures, were killed after it crashed near the Baramati airport in Pune district.
- Simariya, Jharkhand: A medical evacuation aircraft (“air ambulance”) crashed while transporting a patient.
- Andaman & Nicobar: A helicopter crash occurred in this region.
Scheduled Airlines vs Non-Scheduled Operators (NSOs)
- Scheduled Airlines:
- Fixed Operations Model: Operate on fixed routes and published timetables, offering regular commercial services to the general public.
- Strict Regulatory Oversight: Function under a highly regulated DGCA framework with multiple mandatory safety and compliance layers.
- Structured Service Model: Follow a schedule-based system similar to a city bus network (e.g., IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet).
- Non-Scheduled Operators (NSOs):
- On-Demand Operations: Provide charter flights and private helicopter services without fixed schedules.
- Client Profile: Cater primarily to VIPs, businesspersons, and medical emergency requirements.
- Sector Scale and Composition: As of September 2025, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) website lists 133 non-scheduled operators, operating both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft under flexible service models.
- Regulatory and Safety Challenges: The rapid expansion of the sector has outpaced the existing regulatory and safety oversight capacity.
DGCA’s Key Corrective Measures Taken
- Urgent Emergency Meeting: All 133 NSO permit holders were summoned for an emergency review.
- Safety Ranking System: Charter operators will be assigned safety scores to encourage compliance-driven competition.
- Mandatory Public Disclosure: Operators should mandatorily publish safety records, aircraft age, pilot credentials and maintenance history.
- Senior Management Accountability: Top management will be directly responsible for safety lapses.
- Safety Over Commercial Pressure: An explicit warning against prioritising business interests over safety norms was issued.
VIP Culture and Pilot Pressure
- VIP Pressure on Pilots: VIP passengers often exert pressure on pilots to operate flights despite adverse weather conditions.
- Commercial Compulsions: Private operators may hesitate to refuse VIP requests for fear of losing business or future contracts.
- Historical Precedents: Crashes such as those involving Madhavrao Scindia (2001) and Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy (2009) highlight the fatal risks of flying in poor weather.
- Regulatory Position (DGCA): The DGCA reiterates that the Pilot-in-Command’s authority must be supreme, overriding any VIP or commercial pressure.
Technical Enforcement Measures (Non-Scheduled / Private Aviation Sector)
- Strict MRO Oversight: Supervision of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) practices should be strengthened through periodic audits, certification verification, and strict compliance inspections.
- CVR (Cockpit Voice Recorder) Audits: Systematic review of cockpit voice recordings (Black Box) should be institutionalised to ensure adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and proper crew coordination.
- ADS-B Surveillance: Real-time GPS tracking of aircraft and monitoring of operational data through Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B) systems should be enhanced to improve regulatory oversight.
- Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL): Enforcement of stringent duty-hour regulations should be strengthened to prevent pilot fatigue and enhance flight safety.
Structural Challenges in India’s Non-Scheduled Aviation
- Training Deficits: Limited flying hours and inadequate exposure among some pilots reduce operational preparedness, especially in adverse conditions.
- Infrastructure Gaps: Shortage of advanced flight simulators and trained instructors constrains quality training and skill upgradation.
- Weak Ground Audits: Inadequate on-site inspections and safety audits weaken enforcement of compliance standards.
- DGCA Capacity Constraints: Staff shortages and limited technical manpower hinder effective monitoring and regulatory oversight.
Conclusion
Ensuring long-term aviation safety necessitates stronger DGCA oversight, protection of pilot decision-making authority, rigorous safety audits, and a shift from VIP-driven pressures to strict rule-based compliance.
28 Feb 2026
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