India's aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has flagged a series of serious safety lapses across aircraft maintenance and airport infrastructure operations at Delhi and Mumbai airports, following a comprehensive surveillance audit.

The DGCA has now directed all concerned operators and ground-handling agencies to take corrective action within seven days, failing which enforcement proceedings could follow.

Among the more severe issues identified were multiple instances of recurring defects in aircraft that had not been properly rectified suggesting ineffective monitoring and inadequate corrective action by maintenance teams.

"These are not isolated incidents," the DGCA noted. "Repeated defects and the failure to follow Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM) protocols indicate systemic neglect."

Critical ground support equipment such as baggage trolleys and BFL (Baggage Freight Loaders) were found unserviceable, while line maintenance stores lacked proper tool control procedures. In some cases, the thrust reverser system and flap slat lever were left unlocked during maintenance, and life vests were found improperly secured under passenger seats.

One observation noted, "The corrosion-resistant tape on the right-hand winglet's lower blade was damaged, compromising safety standards."

Moreover, Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMEs) were found to be skipping mandatory safety precautions and not attending to snag rectifications as per protocols. Defect reports generated by onboard aircraft systems were not being recorded in technical logbooks -- a critical failure in ensuring traceable maintenance documentation.

The DGCA's inspection also uncovered serious airport-level deficiencies. The centreline markings on runways were faded, rapid exit taxiway lights were misaligned, and obstruction limitation data hadn't been updated in over three years despite construction around the aerodromes.

Additionally, numerous ramp vehicles lacked speed governors, forcing the DGCA to cancel AVP (Airside Vehicle Permits) and suspend several drivers’ ADPs (Airside Driving Permits).

In the area of pilot training, the DGCA found that simulator configurations did not match actual aircraft cockpit layouts, and the training software hadn't been updated. "This mismatch compromises the integrity of type-specific pilot readiness," a senior official from the audit team remarked.

Further compounding the situation, a scheduled domestic flight was delayed due to worn-out tyres, with clearance granted only after mandatory rectification. This delay, the DGCA emphasised, exemplifies why preventive maintenance must be prioritised over reactive correction.

In a stern message, the DGCA stated: "This process of comprehensive surveillance will continue in future to detect hazards in the system." All findings have already been formally communicated to the stakeholders, with a seven-day deadline imposed to submit proof of compliance and rectification.

This report follows a string of high-profile safety incidents including the recent Air India 787 crash in Ahmedabad and underscores the need for immediate systemic reforms in both the civil aviation and MRO ecosystems. Experts say the DGCA's current approach reflects a shift from reactive oversight to proactive, risk-based safety governance, aligning India’s aviation safety monitoring with global best practices.

The spotlight is now on how swiftly airlines, ground handlers, and airport authorities act -- not just to comply with DGCA directives, but to restore operational integrity and public confidence in Indian aviation.