DGCA launches safety audit of 14 charter operators; inspections under way

DGCA has launched a special safety audit of 14 charter operators, with field inspections underway and the first phase of the exercise expected to be completed by February 25

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is auditing 14 charter flight operators as part of a special safety oversight exercise, according to an order issued by the regulator. It stated that the field inspections were underway and the first phase was expected to be completed by February 25.

 

The exercise, titled ‘Special Safety Audit Plan 2026 – Phase 1’, was ordered on February 2 and inspections began on February 9. The wide-ranging audit comes in the aftermath of the plane crash in Baramati on January 28 in which Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others died. The charter flight was operated by Delhi-based non-scheduled operator VSR Ventures.

 

On January 28, Bombardier Learjet 45 aircraft -- registration number VT-SSK -- was operating a non-scheduled charter flight from Mumbai to Baramati when it crashed while attempting a second landing approach.

 

VSR Ventures is not part of the Special Safety Audit Plan Phase-1 and is being audited separately by a six-member team of the DGCA. The regulator has asked the team to submit VSR’s audit report by February 15.

 

On February 2, the DGCA issued an order identifying a set of operators for inspection in the first phase to check compliance with airworthiness and operational requirements. These include Air Charter Services, A R Airways, Arrow Aircrafts Sales & Charters, Chipsan Aviation and Deccan Charters. The list also includes Global Vectra Helicorp, Indo Pacific Aviation, India FlySafe Aviation, Karnavati Aviation and state-owned helicopter operator Pawan Hans.

 

In addition, DGCA teams were inspecting Rajas Aerosports and Adventures (Aero Safari), Redbird Airways, Reliance Commercial Dealers and Zest Aviation.

 

According to the February 2 order, the regulator had constituted separate audit teams for each operator, comprising deputy directors, assistant directors, flight operations inspectors and senior flight operations inspectors, to conduct the inspections of the aforementioned 14 charter flight operators.

 

The DGCA has directed the audit teams to submit their final reports to its headquarters within 10 days of completing inspections. The findings are expected to highlight any safety gaps or non-compliance issues, following which the regulator may take further action.

 

The audit is part of the DGCA’s broader effort to tighten safety oversight and standardise operational practices across the charter and private aviation segment. 

Checking in

 

• The DGCA has constituted separate audit teams for each operator
• Audit teams to submit final reports within 10 days of completing inspections
• Findings expected to highlight safety gaps or non-compliance issues