DGCA flags safety lapses in Turkish Airlines operations, orders ‘full compliance’ with aviation norms

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has directed Turkish Airlines to ensure “full compliance” with international and domestic aviation norms after identifying several safety and procedural lapses during recent inspections of its passenger and cargo flights.

The inspections, conducted under the Safety Oversight and Ramp (SOFA/RAMP) programme between May 29 and June 2, covered Turkish Airlines operations at Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bengaluru airports.

The exercise is part of India's regular surveillance of foreign carriers operating within its airspace.

The findings from the inspection revealed serious shortcomings in ground operations, aircraft maintenance procedures, and dangerous goods handling, according to an official statement.

"Turkish Airlines has been directed to address these findings promptly and ensure full compliance with ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices as well as DGCA regulations," the release said.

A marshaller managing ground operations at the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru was found to be operating without valid authorisation or a competency card.

In a separate incident, the arrival procedure of an aircraft was carried out by a technician in the absence of a certified Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME). Airworks is the authorised engineering service provider for Turkish Airlines.

The DGCA inspection also noted the improper declaration of dangerous goods on board Turkish Airlines cargo flights. The mandatory permission from DGCA for carriage of explosives over Indian airspace was neither attached nor mentioned in the Dangerous Goods Declaration submitted by the airline.

The inspection, as per the release, also revealed that no Service Level Agreement (SLA) was in place between Turkish Airlines and its Ground Handling Agent (GHA).

"Equipment such as ladders, step ladders, trolleys, and ground power units lacked proper accountability and monitoring at Hyderabad and Bengaluru, where Globe Ground India was providing ground services without formal handover from Celebi," the release stated.

In light of the findings, DGCA has directed Turkish Airlines to undertake immediate corrective actions and ensure strict adherence to ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs), along with Indian aviation regulations.

"The DGCA is committed to ensuring the highest levels of aviation safety and regulatory compliance by all foreign operators within Indian airspace. Further follow-up inspections will be carried out as necessary," the civil aviation ministry said in a statement.

Stating that the DGCA emphasises its "unwavering commitment" to ensuring the safety and regulatory compliance of all foreign operators within Indian airspace, the release said, "further follow-up inspections will be conducted as necessary to ensure continuous safety oversight".

Apart from revoking Celebi Aviation's security clearance, the government recently asked domestic carrier IndiGo to wind up its lease arrangement with Turkish Airlines within three months.

The rift has spilled over into academia and trade. Several Indian institutes, including IIT Bombay, IIT Roorkee, JNU, and MANUU, have terminated academic collaborations with Turkish institutions, citing national interest and geopolitical concerns.