Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu informed the Rajya Sabha that Indian commercial airlines reported 2,094 technical defects from 2021 to June 2025, with 514 in 2021, 528 in 2022, 448 in 2023, 421 in 2024, and 183 in the first half of 2025.
Responding to MP Mukul Balkrishna Wasnik, Naidu emphasized that all defects, minor or serious, are recorded, investigated, and rectified under Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Serious defects are immediately reported to the DGCA, with operators mandated to maintain robust internal systems for safety compliance.
Naidu also highlighted 21,368 passenger complaints over the same period, peaking at 5,513 in 2023, with 4,131 in 2021, 3,783 in 2022, 4,016 in 2024, and 3,925 in 2025 so far, reflecting persistent service and safety concerns. Addressing the June 12 Air India AI171 crash in Ahmedabad, which killed 260, Naidu defended the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) probe as “unbiased” and compliant with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) norms.
The AAIB’s preliminary report noted the Boeing 787-8’s fuel switches moving to “CUTOFF” during takeoff, but Naidu urged restraint on speculation, dismissing Western media claims of pilot error as premature. The black box was decoded domestically for the first time, a milestone for India’s aviation capabilities.
Post-crash, the DGCA ordered inspections of all 33 Air India Boeing 787-8/9 aircraft, with 31 cleared after minor issues in eight were resolved. Naidu assured compensation for all victims’ families, including 19 ground casualties, and outlined enhanced DGCA oversight through audits, spot checks, and night surveillance.
On helicopter safety, Minister of State Murlidhar Mohol reported 12 accidents since 2020, seven in Uttarakhand, with tightened protocols for Chardham Yatra operations, including mandatory pilot training and stricter helipad management. The high complaint volume and crash underscore the need for robust safety enforcement amid India’s growing aviation sector.
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