New Delhi: Alarm bells are ringing over safety of airlines' operations due to severe financial stress faced by them. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is starting a detailed financial surveillance of all airlines from Friday. Carriers that are found to be seriously strained after this survey would not be allowed to add any aircraft to their fleet till they meet all safety requirements for the existing fleet.
Also, the extension of such airlines' licences could come under cloud if the regulator finds that their financial capacity has degraded to such an extent that it would not be safe to allow them to fly passengers. DGCA chief Bharat Bhushan said: "We will finalise the modalities of the detailed surveillance shortly and begin the process from Friday. The focus will be on the airlines' economic viability and safety."
The concept of financial surveillance in India started in 2009 at the height of global recession and the consequent slowdown in India. The basic idea is to categorise airlines according to their financial health and keep a close watch on the fleets of the most strained ones. The reason: A broke airline is unlikely to be able to invest in keeping their fleets completely airworthy and safe by replacing or repairing parts that need attention.
10/11/11 Saurabh Sinha/Times of India
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