Neelam Mathews

Even as the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) <a href="http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2015-04-08/faa-restores-indias-safety-ranking">restored India’s safety oversight to Category 1</a> in March following a 14-month <a href="http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2014-01-31/us-downgrades-indias-safety-oversight-rating">downgrade to Cat-2</a> under its International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) program, Indian authorities will make presentations this month on their country’s safety status to the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). &nbsp;

 


As India looks to expand its economic footprint with fiscal engagement in the Asian region, air connectivity gains added importance, making it imperative to ensure and project a satisfactory air safety record. “Every country is concerned about safety and it cannot be compromised,” Indian minister of civil aviation Ashok Gajapathi&nbsp;Raju told AIN. “ICAO sets the standards and we were downgraded by the FAA…Now we’re back with many issues addressed.”

 


India’s Category 2 status signaled that its civil aviation safety oversight regime did not comply with international safety standards set by ICAO. Though India’s two airlines serving the U.S.—Jet Airways and Air India—could continue existing flights there, their Category 2 status meant they could not &nbsp;establish new service to the country nor code share with U.S. carriers.&nbsp;

 


The downgrade prompted international safety authorities to voice concerns. Following the downgrade last year, India sent a team to Brussels to EASA, the head of the Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), M. Sathiyavathy, told AIN. “[EASA has] asked us to explain how we will be able to sustain our position as Category 1 in the days to come,” she added.

 


While the FAA focused on safety elements such as airline operations, flight training organizations and India’s legal system, a comprehensive audit due from ICAO this coming November “will cover the entire gamut of civil aviation including airports, navigation, air traffic control along with FAA issues,” said Sathiyavathy. She stressed that India could sustain its position only “if we have the cooperation of all aviation-related stakeholders, and that can happen only if all of us feel safety is important.

 


“We have put systems in place including re-certification based on CAP3100, the new ICAO-recommended certification manual for airlines to ensure safety of passengers and student pilots is not compromised,” she added.

 


One of the main observations in the FAA audit involved the lack of flight operations inspectors (FOI), Sathiyavathy said. The FAA had objected to the DGCA deputizing FOIs from airlines rather than using those on its own rolls. Of the 75 FOIs required, the DGCA has managed to fill posts for 50. “We are trying to work as soon as we can on more hirings as this was one of the main issues of the FAA,” said Raju. “If conflicting interest comes in, it is not correct.”

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

Indian Safety Regulators Respond to EASA, ICAO Scrutiny

Ready to present reports on safety status 

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Hanneke Weitering

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Archer plans demo flight at 2025 World Expo in Osaka

JAL/Sumitomo Subsidiary Soracle To Operate Archer’s eVTOL in Japan

Charles Alcock

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

Britain's new government is under pressure to invest in public infrastructure

How Regional Air Mobility Could Boost the UK's Strained Transport Network

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

Danish charter and scheduled operator could buy up to 15 of the electric seaplanes

Nordic Seaplanes Signs for Elfly's Noemi Electric Amphibious Aircraft

Odys' blown-wing design is being developed for both uncrewed freighter and piloted airliner roles

Fiji Airways Plans To Connect Pacific Islands with Laila VTOL

Scotland-based regional airline aims to achieve zero carbon emissions

Loganair and Heart Team To Decarbonize UK Domestic Flights

UK green start-up airline wants to operate domestic services with zero carbon emissions

Ecojet Plans To Operate Arc Aerosystems' Linx P9 Hybrid Helicopter

Cathy Buyck

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

The Boeing electronic flight bag solution will support the low-cost carrier’s 737NG and Max fleet

Ryanair to Use Jeppesen FliteDeck Pro 5.0 EFB 

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

More In Airlines