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aircraft defects

EASA Flags Safety Lapses In Air India Aircraft, DGCA Increases Oversight Measures SEO DES: Data reviewed by the regulator showed that the ratio of findings per inspection reached 1.96 in January, significantly higher than acceptable safety benchmarks SOCIAL: EASA flagged maintenance and compliance lapses in Air India aircraft during surprise inspections, with findings ratio peaking at 1.96 before improving to 1.76 under Directorate General of Civil Aviation monitoring. The inspections highlighted issues such as documentation gaps, delayed defect rectification, and procedural non-compliance. Authorities have since intensified checks, with over 100 internal inspections carried out to ensure compliance. New Delhi, India: European aviation regulator EASA has raised concerns over safety and maintenance compliance in aircraft operated by Air India, following a series of unannounced inspections across airports in Europe, triggering heightened scrutiny from Indian authorities. According to multiple reports, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) identified several deficiencies during ramp inspections carried out under its Safety Assessment of Foreign Aircraft (SAFA) programme. These inspections are conducted without prior notice and are aimed at ensuring that foreign carriers comply with international safety standards. The inspections reportedly revealed a range of issues related to: Maintenance procedures Documentation gaps Delayed rectification of defects Operational compliance shortcomings Data reviewed by the regulator showed that the ratio of findings per inspection reached 1.96 in January, significantly higher than acceptable safety benchmarks. Typically, airlines with strong safety records maintain a ratio below 1, indicating fewer discrepancies per inspection. Following the findings, EASA communicated its concerns to India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), prompting immediate action. A senior DGCA official stated, “DGCA immediately stepped in imposing corrective measures on Air India to avoid potential consequences affecting its operations in European countries.” The official further noted that after intensified monitoring, the fault ratio declined to 1.76, indicating early improvement but still above global best-practice levels. Indian authorities have significantly increased oversight of Air India’s international operations. A DGCA official confirmed, the airline has conducted over 100 internal inspections and the aircrafts are cleared for operations only after defects are rectified and compliance is ensured This reflects a coordinated regulatory response aimed at preventing escalation into operational restrictions in Europe. Recent Air India issue prompts precautionary diversion mid-flight An Air India long-haul flight from New York to Delhi was forced to divert on Sunday to Shannon Airport in Ireland following a mid-air technical issue, prompting a precautionary landing and safety checks. The flight, AI102, operated by an Airbus A350 aircraft, was en route from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Delhi when the crew detected a suspected technical snag during the journey. The aircraft had been airborne for nearly six hours before the decision was made to divert. According to airline officials, the diversion was carried out as a safety precaution. An Air India spokesperson said, “Flight AI102 operating from New York (JFK) to Delhi on March 15 made a precautionary diversion to Shannon, Ireland, following a suspected technical issue.” The aircraft landed safely at Shannon Airport at approximately 04:30 local time, with all passengers and crew reported safe. There were around 300 people onboard at the time of the incident.

EASA Flags Safety Lapses In Air India Aircraft, DGCA Increases Oversight Measures

Aviation Today News Desk / March 17, 2026

New Delhi, India: European aviation regulator EASA has raised concerns over safety and maintenance compliance in aircraft operated by Air […]

Delhi, India: Nearly 50% of Indian commercial aircraft audited by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have been identified with recurring technical defects, according to figures presented by the Ministry of Civil Aviation in the Lok Sabha on Thursday. The disclosures, based on inspections conducted between January 2025 and 3 February 2026, underscore heightened regulatory scrutiny of airline maintenance practices across the country. The DGCA analysed 754 aircraft belonging to six scheduled carriers for repetitive snags during routine safety checks and surveillance audits of these, 377 aircraft roughly half were found to have recurring defects, defined as technical issues that appeared repeatedly on the same aircraft despite previous corrective actions. Detailed airline-wise figures presented in Parliament show: IndiGo: 405 aircraft analysed, 148 flagged for recurring defects Air India: 166 analysed, 137 flagged Air India Express: 101 analysed, 54 flagged SpiceJet: 43 analysed, 16 flagged Akasa Air: 32 analysed, 14 flagged Government sources pointed out that many of the recurring issues relate to maintenance and equipment malfunctions. In the case of Air India, a spokesperson noted that most defects were in lower-priority “Category D” items such as seating equipment, tray tables and in-flight entertainment screens, which are not directly linked to aircraft safety. Repetitive defects can range in severity, but their recurrence suggests that root-cause analysis and corrective action may not always be sufficient or timely. To reinforce compliance and safety standards, the DGCA said it conducted an extensive set of oversight activities over the last year, including: 3,890 surveillance inspections 56 regulatory audits 84 checks of foreign aircraft (SOFA) 492 ramp inspections 874 spot checks and 550 night surveillance exercises The regulator is mandated to monitor and enforce compliance with civil aviation requirements, and flagged deficiencies are expected to be followed up with corrective action and enforcement where necessary. The audit findings come at a time when India’s aviation safety ecosystem faces sustained scrutiny following a series of reported technical events and operational challenges. In early February, an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner was temporarily grounded after a potential fuel control switch defect was reported by pilots following a London–Bengaluru flight. The UK Civil Aviation Authority has sought detailed explanations from the carrier. Additionally, passenger flight disruptions and operational bottlenecks at several airlines in recent months have fueled public and political examination of maintenance practices and regulatory readiness. Airline officials, particularly from the Air India Group, have stressed that rigorous checks and proactive inspections account for higher flagged numbers, and that many findings relate to cabin-level equipment rather than flight-critical systems. IndiGo has not publicly responded to The recurring defects should not necessarily be conflated with immediate safety risks, but they highlight the importance of systematic maintenance quality, effective root-cause resolution, and consistent compliance with global safety standards.

DGCA Says 377 Of 754 Indian Commercial Aircrafts Show Recurring Technical Defects

Aviation Today News Desk / February 6, 2026

Delhi, India: Nearly 50% of Indian commercial aircraft audited by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have been identified

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