Faded runway markings, worn tires: DGCA finds safety gaps in aviation ecosystem after surveillance at major airports

India's aviation regulator has flagged several safety lapses across the country’s aviation ecosystem, including airport infrastructure and aircraft maintenance, following a surveillance of major airports, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said Tuesday.

In a statement, the DGCA said it found issues such as faded centerline markings on runways and non-unidirectional green centre lights on rapid exit taxiways.

The agency also reported that a domestic scheduled flight was held up due to worn-out tires, which were later replaced before the aircraft was cleared for takeoff.

In several cases, reported defects reappeared many times on aircraft, indicating inadequate rectification, the regulator said.

Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMEs), in multiple cases, failed to follow safety protocols, including not recording system-generated defect reports in technical logbooks, and neglecting to lock unserviceable systems such as thrust reversers and flap slat levers during maintenance.

The inspections also found numerous ground handling equipment, like baggage trollies and belt loaders, unserviceable, according to the ministry of civil aviation.

In one instance, a simulator was found mismatched with its corresponding aircraft configuration, with outdated software that did not meet regulatory standards.

The findings come amid intensified scrutiny of aviation safety in India following the deadly crash of an Air India-operated flight in Ahmedabad earlier this month. The incident, which left more than 270 people dead both onboard and on the ground, has prompted renewed focus on the country’s air safety protocols.

Last week, the DGCA announced the launch of a special audit framework for a "360-degree" evaluation, moving beyond the conventional approach of siloed inspections.

“Traditionally, regulatory and safety oversight functions within Indian aviation have been conducted in silos, with different directorates performing inspections and audits specific to their respective domains,” the DGCA said.

The special audits will be applicable to scheduled, non-scheduled, and private air operators, Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) organisations, Approved Training Organisations (ATOs), Flying Training Organisations (FTOs), Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP), Aerodrome Operators, and Ground Handling Agencies (GHAs).

Carried out by multi-disciplinary teams led by senior DGCA officials, the audits will adopt a risk-based and integrated approach to identify systemic vulnerabilities, strengthen operational resilience, and ensure compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.

These audits will be in addition to the regulatory audits carried out as per the Annual Surveillance Programme.

The audits will be carried out by multi-disciplinary teams led by senior DGCA official (DDG/Director) as the lead auditor.

The official will be supported by specialists from Flight Standards, Air Safety, Airworthiness, Airspace & Air Navigation Services, Licensing, and Aerodrome Standards directorates.