Context

• The aviation industry in India has witnessed several safety lapses, the most recent being the incident on December 5, 2024, involving an Air India Airbus A320 at Goa’s Mopa Airport.
• The Hyderabad-bound aircraft mistakenly entered a parallel taxiway instead of the main runway, leading to a rejected take-off. This event underscores a recurring issue in Indian aviation: runway confusion.
• The incident raises concerns about systemic failures in aviation safety oversight, pilot training, and accountability mechanisms, reflecting broader issues within the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and airlines.

A History of Safety Lapses

• India's aviation history is rife with incidents of runway confusion.
• From a Jet Airways flight mistakenly landing at an Indian Air Force base in 1993 to a SpiceJet aircraft landing on the wrong runway in 2008, such errors highlight persistent safety deficiencies.
• More recent examples, such as the Air India A320 landing on an under-construction runway in the Maldives (2018) and a SpiceJet aircraft's hard touchdown in Guwahati (2020), illustrate a pattern of oversight failures.
• Fortunately, these incidents have not resulted in fatalities, but the potential for disaster is ever-present.

An Analysis of Systemic Accountability Deficit

• Failure of the DGCA
  • As the primary regulatory body for civil aviation in India, the DGCA bears the responsibility of ensuring compliance with safety standards.
  • However, its track record reveals a consistent failure to address root causes of incidents. Instead of initiating comprehensive investigations, the DGCA often attributes incidents to pilot error, conveniently absolving itself and airlines of accountability.
  • This approach violates the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)’s Annex 13, which mandates thorough investigations into incidents and the implementation of corrective measures to prevent recurrence.
  • For example, after runway confusion incidents in the past, such as the 2018 Air India A320 landing on an under-construction runway in the Maldives, the DGCA failed to enforce stricter pilot training or infrastructure upgrades.
  • The lack of meaningful action demonstrates the regulator's inability to learn from past mistakes, leaving the aviation sector vulnerable to similar risks.
• Ineffectiveness of Safety Audits
  • Safety audits conducted by the DGCA and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) are often superficial, with significant deficiencies overlooked or underreported.
  • Many Indian airports fail to meet ICAO standards for runway infrastructure, lighting, and markings, which are critical for pilot decision-making, especially during adverse conditions.
  • Despite these shortcomings, audits seldom lead to corrective measures, perpetuating a cycle of negligence.
  • For instance, the failure to address issues like inadequate runway markings and poor aerodrome design directly contributes to runway confusion and other errors.
  • Yet, year after year, these deficiencies persist, signalling a lack of enforcement and accountability.
• Airlines’ Role in Safety Lapses
  • Airlines in India also bear significant responsibility for safety lapses due to their cost-cutting measures and operational priorities.
  • Instead of investing in rigorous pilot training and enhanced safety protocols, many airlines prioritise profitability and operational efficiency.
  • The emphasis on on-time performance (OTP) further exacerbates the problem, as pilots and crew are pressured to meet tight schedules, often at the expense of safety.
  • This pressure was evident in the Kozhikode (2020) and Mangaluru (2010) crashes, where pilots’ decisions to land despite unsafe conditions were influenced by operational demands.
  • Despite these incidents, airlines have continued to sideline safety concerns, relying on the DGCA's lenient oversight to avoid accountability.
• The Culture of Blame-Shifting
  • The systemic accountability deficit is perpetuated by a pervasive culture of blame-shifting, where pilots are often scapegoated for incidents.
  • This narrative deflects attention from broader systemic issues, such as inadequate training programs, substandard infrastructure, and regulatory failures.
  • The aviation industry’s tendency to label incidents as pilot error not only undermines the credibility of investigations but also prevents meaningful reforms from being implemented.
  • Moreover, this culture discourages open reporting of safety concerns.
  • Pilots and crew, fearing punitive action, may hesitate to highlight operational or regulatory shortcomings, further eroding safety standards.

The Role of Poor Training and Infrastructure and Operational Pressures on Crew

• The Role of Poor Training and Infrastructure
  • Runway confusion incidents point to glaring deficiencies in pilot training and aerodrome infrastructure.
  • Pilots’ lack of familiarity with runway markings and failure to comply with stabilised approach criteria are indicative of inadequate training programs.
  • Moreover, India’s aviation infrastructure often fails to meet ICAO standards, exacerbating safety risks.
  • Safety audits by the DGCA and the AAI have historically overlooked critical deficiencies, further compromising safety standards.
• Operational Pressures on Crew
  • A significant contributor to these incidents is the operational pressure on flight crews.
  • India’s regulations on flight and duty time limitations are among the weakest globally, allowing airlines to push pilots and cabin crew to their limits.
  • High-profile accidents like the Kozhikode (2020) and Mangaluru (2010) crashes exemplify the dangers of such pressures, where pilots ignored co-pilot warnings in their haste to meet schedules.

Judiciary and Legislative Challenges and the Path Forward

• Judiciary and Legislative Challenges
  • India’s approach to aviation safety is further undermined by judicial and legislative decisions that prioritise commercial interests over safety.
  • The recent deferment of stricter flight and duty time limits under pressure from airlines reflects a disregard for crew fatigue and its impact on safety.
  • Additionally, judicial interventions, such as the High Court asking the DGCA to mediate between stakeholders, highlight a lack of understanding of aviation safety’s non-negotiable nature.
• The Path Forward
  • India must adopt a proactive and holistic approach to address aviation safety challenges.
  • The DGCA and airlines must be held accountable for implementing robust training programs and complying with international safety standards.
  • Lessons can be drawn from Singapore’s example, emphasising swift corrective actions and a culture of accountability.
  • Furthermore, the judiciary and regulatory bodies must prioritise safety over commercial interests, recognizing that crew fatigue and operational pressures are critical safety issues.

Conclusion

• The December 2024 incident at Goa’s Mopa airport is not an isolated event but a symptom of deeper systemic issues in Indian aviation.
• Addressing these challenges requires a collective effort from regulators, airlines, and policymakers to create a culture of accountability, prioritise crew welfare, and enhance safety standards.
• As India’s aviation industry grows, ensuring safety must remain paramount, lest the nation continues to ‘cut a sorry figure’ in international aviation.