The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India’s aviation regulator, has recorded more than 2,400 significant technical defects in domestic and international flight operations since 2023. During the same period, the DGCA has issued 382 show-cause notices to airlines for safety violations. This information was presented to Parliament by the Government, highlighting ongoing efforts to bolster aviation safety across the country.
The Chenab Times has learned that the significant technical defects were documented between 2023 and June 2026. Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, informed the Rajya Sabha that the DGCA recorded 2,197 significant technical defects specifically in domestic flight operations and an additional 223 in international operations during this timeframe. These figures underscore the persistent challenges in maintaining technical integrity across the aviation sector.
Analysis of the reported defects reveals that major carriers have accounted for the highest numbers. Among domestic carriers, Air India reported the largest number of technical defects, with 665 instances. Akasa Air followed closely with 732 reported defects, though this figure appears to exceed the overall number of domestic defects reported by the minister earlier. IndiGo recorded 292 defects, Star Air 191, Air India Express 126, and SpiceJet also reported 126 defects during the period. In international operations, Air India again led with 179 significant defects. Air India Express and IndiGo each reported 14 international defects, while SpiceJet recorded four, and Akasa Air reported 12.
In the wake of an aircraft crash in Ahmedabad, the DGCA initiated a comprehensive special audit across major airports. This audit, conducted under General Safety Circular No. 01 of 2025, aimed to rigorously assess the entire aviation ecosystem and enhance the nation’s safety architecture. The surveillance extended to a wide array of operational areas, including flight operations, airworthiness, aircraft maintenance procedures, ground handling services, ramp safety protocols, aerodrome operations, air traffic management systems, communication, navigation, and surveillance systems, as well as cabin safety standards.
During this extensive regulatory exercise, numerous instances of non-compliance and procedural deficiencies were identified. These issues involved various aviation stakeholders, including airlines, aircraft maintenance organisations, ground handling agencies, and airport operators. The primary areas of concern related to maintenance practices, the accuracy and timeliness of defect reporting, the condition and operation of ground handling equipment, airside operations, the state of aerodrome infrastructure, and adherence to operational procedures. The Government stated that all observations made during the audit were subsequently addressed and rectified by the respective organisations involved.
Furthermore, the data revealed the specific enforcement actions taken by the DGCA. Between January 2024 and June 2026, the regulator issued a total of 382 show-cause notices to airlines for violations of safety regulations. The number of enforcement actions against scheduled airlines for major safety violations saw 10 cases in 2023, escalating to 22 in 2024, and further to 19 in 2025. These enforcement measures have included the imposition of financial penalties, the suspension of approvals or authorisations deemed critical for operations, and the issuance of formal warnings. These actions are carried out in strict accordance with the DGCA’s established Enforcement Policy and Procedure Manual, ensuring a structured and consistent approach to regulatory compliance.
Detailed year-wise data for Air India indicated a fluctuating trend in technical defects. In 2023, the airline reported 119 domestic and 48 international technical defects. This number rose to 197 domestic and 36 international defects in 2024. A further increase was observed in 2025, with 313 domestic and 85 international defects recorded. During the first six months of 2026, Air India reported 36 domestic and 10 international significant defects. Akasa Air’s defect report showed 143 domestic defects in 2023, which increased to 243 in 2024, before declining to 195 in 2025. In the first half of 2026, the airline recorded 151 domestic defects. IndiGo reported 87 domestic defects in 2023, followed by 75 in 2024, 86 in 2025, and 44 defects by June 2026. Air India Express experienced a notable rise, from seven domestic defects in 2024 to 68 in 2025, with an additional 51 recorded in the first half of 2026.
The Chenab Times News Desk