Picture Credits: Turkish Airlines
New Delhi, India: In a significant development, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India’s aviation regulatory body, has identified multiple safety and compliance violations by Turkish Airlines during unannounced inspections conducted between May 29 and June 2, 2025. These inspections took place at major Indian airports, including Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bengaluru.
Key Findings from the DGCA Inspections
Unauthorized Carriage of Dangerous Goods: One of the most serious violations involved the transportation of hazardous materials, specifically explosives, without the necessary permissions or proper declaration. This breach of air cargo safety norms poses significant security risks.
Unqualified Ground Personnel: At Bengaluru airport, a marshaller responsible for directing aircraft during taxiing operations was found operating without proper authorization or a valid competency card, contravening Indian aviation regulations.
Improper Aircraft Maintenance Procedures: Inspections revealed that, in some instances, aircraft maintenance was conducted by technicians instead of certified Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMEs). For example, at Bengaluru airport, an AME was unavailable during the arrival of a flight, and the procedure was instead handled by a technician. This violates aviation safety protocols, as only certified AMEs are authorized to perform such tasks.
Lack of Formal Agreements with Ground Handling Agents: At Hyderabad and Bengaluru airports, Turkish Airlines was utilizing ground handling services from Globe Ground India without formal Service Level Agreements (SLAs). This lack of formal agreements led to accountability issues with essential ground equipment, including ladders, trolleys, and Ground Power Units (GPUs), which lacked proper monitoring and handover procedures.
DGCA’s Directive and Future Actions
In response to these findings, the DGCA has directed Turkish Airlines to promptly address these violations and ensure full compliance with both International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards and Indian aviation regulations. The regulator emphasized that further inspections will be conducted to ensure continuous safety oversight.
These developments come amid strained diplomatic relations between India and Turkey, particularly following Turkey’s support for Pakistan in regional conflicts. In a related move, India’s aviation ministry has also revoked the security clearance of Turkish ground handling firm Çelebi, halting its operations in the country. Airlines failing to adhere to these standards may face increased scrutiny and potential operational restrictions.
