DGCA Safety Inspection 2025: There’s an important update for air travelers in India. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken a stricter approach to flight safety.
Under a special order (DGCA-22034/2/2025-FSD) issued on June 19, 2025, DGCA carried out surprise inspections at major airports and airlines, including those in Delhi and Mumbai. The inspections were led by Joint Director General-level officers.
All Aspects of Flight Safety Checked
In this special drive, the DGCA thoroughly checked all areas related to aviation safety — including aircraft airworthiness, flight operations, ramp safety, air traffic control, navigation, medical checks, and ground handling. However, the results of the inspection have raised serious concerns.
Technical Issues in Aircraft: A Direct Threat to Passenger Safety
As per the DGCA report, old technical faults were found again in several aircraft, indicating that proper repairs or actions were not taken.
In some planes, important safety systems like the thrust reverser and flap slat lever were not properly locked. In other cases, life vests were not placed correctly and safety tape on winglets was damaged.
Worse still, some technical issues reported by pilots were not even entered into the logbook, making it impossible to track or fix the problems.
Runways and Vehicles Also Failed Inspection
Not only aircraft, but the airport infrastructure also failed safety checks. The report stated that at many airports, the runway center lines were faded, and taxiway lights were facing the wrong direction.
Also, even though construction work had been going on near some airports for three years, the obstacle data was not updated.
Additionally, many vehicles on the ramp area lacked speed governors, and their entry passes were cancelled.
Simulator Mismatch a Serious Risk for Pilot Training
One major issue was that a flight simulator’s settings did not match those of the real aircraft, which is highly dangerous for pilot training.
In another case, a domestic flight was delayed because its tires were worn out, and it was only cleared for takeoff after repairs.
DGCA’s Warning: Fix All Issues Within 7 Days
DGCA has given a 7-day deadline to all airlines and airport operators to fix these problems.
It also warned that such surprise inspections will continue, and strict action will be taken if safety standards are not met.
This move comes after a series of technical issues and emergency landings in recent times.
DGCA’s tough stance is seen as an important step towards ensuring passenger safety and accountability in Indian aviation.
