Aviation regulator DGCA, which came down heavily on Kingfisher and Air India Express for ignoring safety requirements, has also found serious lapses on part of other carriers on major counts.
Airlines like IndiGo, SpiceJet, Jet Airways, GoAir, Alliance Air and JetLite have been rapped for issues like non— reporting of incidents, lack of pilots, proper and regular training, absence of qualified safety officials and non— compliance of safety audits.
A financial surveillance carried out by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) found widespread sickness in the sector. Noting that this was seriously impacting safety of flight operations, it recommended action against them under the Aircraft Rules and Civil Aviation Requirements (CARs).
The airlines have been given time till next week to come up with time—bound plans to rectify and resolve the problems identified in the financial audit.
On Kingfisher, the report said, “A reasonable case exists for withdrawal of their (Kingfisher’s) airline operator permit as their financial stress is likely to impinge on safety.”
Regarding AI Express, it said, “A prima facie case exists for restricting their operations in view of safety issues.”
The report is also understood to have rapped IndiGo for suppressing information on aircraft incidents, which are minor accidents that do not cause major damage to aircraft or lead to injury or fatality.
Noting that investigation procedures adopted by the no— frill carrier were “improper”, the DGCA report is understood to have found that the airline closed investigations into several incidents either without reporting to the regulator or not getting its approval.