The black day for Indian aviation dawned when the Federal Aviation Administration downgraded India to Category 2 on safety.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) cannot brush this ignominy away on the pretence that it is a backlash of the Khobragade affair. It is due to the deceit that stands exposed.
The implications of the downgrade are serious. Air India and Jet Airways cannot increase their operations to the U.S. until the status is restored. All code shares with American carriers get cancelled. Both carriers will be subjected to inspections for safety compliance. Other aviation authorities may opt to increase the surveillance and safety audits of Indian carriers.
The DGCA has finally been exposed. After the Mangalore crash that cost 158 lives, the government appointed a watchdog committee —- CASAC. Unfortunately, the present minister and the babus holding the DGCA and Secretary posts during the past two years expected us to be lapdog committees. They ignored all safety findings and recommendations of CASAC. Today, true to Peter’s Principle, the former DGCA has been elevated to the Regional Director of ICAO in Bangkok.
09/02/14 Capt A Ranganathan/The Hindu
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The Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) cannot brush this ignominy away on the pretence that it is a backlash of the Khobragade affair. It is due to the deceit that stands exposed.
The implications of the downgrade are serious. Air India and Jet Airways cannot increase their operations to the U.S. until the status is restored. All code shares with American carriers get cancelled. Both carriers will be subjected to inspections for safety compliance. Other aviation authorities may opt to increase the surveillance and safety audits of Indian carriers.
The DGCA has finally been exposed. After the Mangalore crash that cost 158 lives, the government appointed a watchdog committee —- CASAC. Unfortunately, the present minister and the babus holding the DGCA and Secretary posts during the past two years expected us to be lapdog committees. They ignored all safety findings and recommendations of CASAC. Today, true to Peter’s Principle, the former DGCA has been elevated to the Regional Director of ICAO in Bangkok.
09/02/14 Capt A Ranganathan/The Hindu
