The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) detected 18 safety violations by airlines, airports and ground handling service providers in the last three years, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said in his reply in Rajya Sabha.

He further added that a fine of Rs 2 crore was imposed in response to these violations.

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The Ministry of Civil Aviation was asked about the number of safety violations reported by airlines and airports during the last three years as well as the actions taken by the DGCA in this regard.

As per the official list shared by Mohol, the majority of fines were imposed on aerodrome operators across cities in violation of provisions of Sub Rule (5) of Rule 83 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937.

The rule states that the licensee must:

  • Keep the aerodrome in good condition for aircraft use
  • Ensure the aerodrome is marked to the Director-General's satisfaction
  • Immediately inform the Director-General, if the aerodrome becomes unusable

DGCA slapped a fine of Rs 30 lakh on the aerodrome operator at the Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport, Lucknow, a fine of Rs 20 lakh on the aerodrome operator at Bhavnagar Airport in 2022 and separate fines were imposed on Chennai Airport, Calicut Airport, Indira Gandhi International Airport and Shivamogga Airport.

Mumbai International Airport was also imposed a fine of Rs 10 lakhs this year in violation of the provisions of rule 133A of the Aircraft Rules, 1937. DGCA further went on to order the suspension of the license for the Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Airport, Nanded, for violating provisions of Sub Rule (5) of Rule 83 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937.

Coming to airlines, the regulator imposed a fine of Rs 30 lakhs on Air India for violation of provisions of rule 133A. DGCA had even imposed a penalty of Rs 1 lakh each on IndiGo and Vistara for violating provisions of rule 133A under the Aircraft Rules, 1937. 

Spicejet operations were restricted to 50% of departures approved under the summer schedule in July 2022 for eight weeks. In September 2022, the restrictions were extended until the end of the summer schedule in violation of various safety norms.