Statsguru: Cracks in aviation oversight as safety concerns mount

India's plan for an independent civil aviation authority seeks to address regulatory constraints, strengthen safety oversight and equip the sector for rapid growth

Minister Narendra Modi to establish an independent Civil Aviation Authority, replacing Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to resolve administrative, financial, and technical constraints in the sector. 

India’s commercial fleet size (866 in 2024) trails the US (7,387), China (4,394), and the UK (1,054). Between 2019 and 2024, India’s fleet per million passengers declined from 4.1 to 3.6, while the US (8.2 to 8.4) and China (5.8 to 5.9) saw a steady growth. Although India maintains global standards for pilot-to-aircraft ratio — matching China and the UK — safety performance highlights structural challenges. Accidents per 1,000 aircraft in India spiked from 14 in 2019 to 18 in 2022 before dropping to 6 in 2024, trailing only the US (7 in 2024). 

A key part is funding: The DGCA’s budget allocation remains stagnant at 0.001 per cent of GDP (2022-2026), compared to the US Federal Aviation Administration’s 

0.056-0.084 per cent. Urgent reforms are vital, as recent International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) safety audits revealed severe underperformance across licensing, organisational structure, air navigation services, and accident investigations in India.