The world’s fastest growing commercial aviation market didn’t have a banner year for safety in 2016.
Air safety violations at Indian ailines surged more than 50% in 2016.
Sources at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said the agency recorded 422 crew member and aircraft maintenance violations last year, up from just 275 in 2015.
"The increase is on account of heightened surveillance and a risk based audit being carried out by DGCA," an unnamed official at the regulator said.
The violations relate to various infringements such as failing alcohol and drugs tests, operational mishaps and working more than the permitted hours.
DGCA said 272 crew members were suspended for violations, 42 pilots were temporarily taken off active duty and a further 108 were issued warnings.
Jet Airways were the biggest offenders with 116 violations, followed by SpiceJet (101) and Air India with 66.
At IndiGo 55 members of crew were punished.
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) downgraded India’s ranking in 2014 but restored it again more than a year later.
Next up is a safety audit by UN aviation agency ICAO which is scheduled to do a thorough 10-day safety audit of the DGCA’s regulatory oversight.
