At one end, India’s aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation is conducting spot checks and audits of different airlines while on the other hand, International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has initiated an audit of India’s aviation security preparedness. The audit has started since August 28, 2024 and will continue for nine days. The team involves 12 auditors from 10 countries and will focus on Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) at Delhi and Kolkata airports.

The audit will evaluate of safety protocols, regulatory compliance, and the effectiveness of security measures at airports and aviation facilities across India. The audit also will assess the current security measures like screening procedures, access controls, and emergency response protocols along with training and situational awareness of security personnel.

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The main purpose behind this audit is to ensure that India meets global security standards to identify and pinpoint certain areas of improvement. This is extremely importance from India’s point of view as India is the third largest domestic market and this audit will definitely help bolster the confidence of international aviation fraternity in India’s aviation infrastructure. 

The results of the audit will provide a comprehensive overview of India's aviation security landscape and provide guidance to Indian authorities in enhancing security protocols to address any impending issues.

The last audit conducted by ICAO was in 2018, back then ICAO had raised questions about the independent status of BCAS. Post which India passed a bill in 2020 that gave statutory status to regulatory bodies, allowing them to levy fines for violations. 

The last audit was conducted in India between November 9 and November 16, 2022 and India came out with flying colours in the results by jumping ranks from 112 to 55 surpassing countries like China, Poland, and Denmark. The current outcome of the safety audit could directly impact the expansion plans of Air India and IndiGo.