Date : 09/01/2024

Relevance: GS Paper 3 – Indian Economy – Infrastructure – Aviation Sector ( Also Relevant for GS Paper 2 – Government Policies and Interventions for Development in various sectors and Issues arising out of their Design and Implementation)

Keywords: DGCA, AAI, BCAS, ICAO

Context-

The recent aviation incident involving a Japan Airlines (JAL) Airbus A350 and a Japanese Coast Guard Bombardier Dash 8 at Tokyo’s Haneda airport has brought attention to critical aspects of aviation professionalism. This incident highlights the importance of disciplined crew training, adherence to safety protocols, and transparency in handling aviation incidents. Drawing lessons from such incidents can significantly enhance the overall safety standards in the aviation sector.

Air Safety Rules and Regulations in India

The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) is the central authority overseeing policy formulation and regulation of civil aviation in India. Several regulatory bodies operate under MoCA to ensure the safety and efficiency of air travel:

• Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA): Enforces civil aviation regulations, oversees air transport services, and ensures air safety and airworthiness.
• Airports Authority of India (AAI): Responsible for creating, upgrading, maintaining, and managing civil aviation infrastructure on the ground and in Indian airspace.
• Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA): Determines tariffs for aeronautical services and Passenger Service Fees, and monitors performance-related standards for the quality, continuity, and reliability of services.
• Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS): Ensures that civil aviation security standards align with national and international obligations related to air safety.

Key regulations pertaining to air safety in India include:

• Aircraft Act, 1934, and Aircraft Rules, 1937: Establish parameters for airworthiness, aircraft maintenance, general flying conditions, and safety.
• Airports Authority of India Act, 1994: Assigns responsibilities to AAI for the development and maintenance of government airports in India.
• Civil Aviation Requirements (CARs) by DGCA: Specify the standards to be met before granting licenses, certificates, approvals, or permissions.
• Aircraft Security Rules, 2011: Address air safety and security regulations for aerodromes and aircraft.

India adheres to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) guidelines on safety, Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs). India's State Safety Programme (SSP), aligned with ICAO requirements, and the National Aviation Safety Plan incorporate Safety Enhancement Initiatives (SEI) from the Regional Safety Plan of RASG-APAC and align with ICAO's Global Aviation Safety Plan. India stands as one of the pioneering countries to establish an SSP in line with ICAO standards.

Disciplined Crew Training and Orderly Evacuation:

• The collision at Haneda airport showcased the exemplary professionalism demonstrated by the JAL cabin crew.
• Despite the chaotic situation, the crew efficiently executed an orderly evacuation, saving all 379 passengers.
• This emphasizes the significance of rigorous crew training programs, where adherence to safety protocols is ingrained.
• The ability to evacuate an aircraft within 90 seconds, as demonstrated by JAL, underscores the importance of meticulous training and discipline in emergency situations.

Passenger Cooperation and Pre-flight Emergency Procedures:

• Contrasting incidents like the Air France flight AF 358 in 2005 and Emirates flight EK 521 in 2016 reveal varying levels of passenger cooperation during evacuations.
• JAL's incident emphasizes the need for passengers worldwide to take pre-flight emergency procedures seriously.
• The aviation industry must emphasize passenger education and awareness to ensure cooperation during emergencies, reducing the risk of injuries and delays in evacuation.

Transparency and Timely Reporting:

• The transparency exhibited by Japanese authorities in promptly releasing Air Traffic Control (ATC) transcripts contrasts with the historical silence and secrecy surrounding aviation incidents in India.
• The delayed reporting of an extreme hard landing by an Air India Airbus flight in December 2023 raises questions about transparency and adherence to reporting regulations.
• Swift and transparent reporting is crucial for investigations, lessons learned, and overall aviation safety improvement.

Training Flaws and Safety Concerns:

• The incident involving the hard landing of an Air India Airbus flight in Dubai exposes potential flaws in crew training and safety concerns.
• The bypassing of minimum hours on type for a captain transitioning from the Boeing 777 fleet to the Airbus A320 fleet raises questions about proficiency and experience.
• The dismissal of an instructor who raised valid concerns about the captain's training adds another layer to the issue.
• Both the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and airlines like Air India must address these training-related concerns to uphold safety standards.

Historical Incidents and Lessons Unlearned:

• Examining historical aviation incidents in India, such as the Indian Airlines Caravelle crash in 1976 and the Airbus crash in Bangalore in 1990, reveals recurring themes of confusion when pilots transition between different aircraft types.
• These incidents highlight the importance of standardization in training, especially when pilots move from one aircraft model to another.
• Failure to address these concerns can lead to tragic consequences, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to pilot training and proficiency.

Air India's Safety Culture and Cover-ups:

• The history of Air India covering up serious incidents raises concerns about the airline's safety culture.
• The recent hard landing in Dubai serves as a wake-up call for both Air India and the DGCA. The airline's management must prioritize transparency and accountability, especially when dealing with safety-related incidents.
• The induction of new aircraft, like the Airbus A350, should be accompanied by stringent criteria for selecting crew members based on high standards rather than seniority.

Enhancing Safety Standards:

• As India positions itself as one of the fastest-growing aviation markets, the focus on passenger safety becomes paramount.
• The Air India management must reflect on operations, training, and safety protocols to ensure a robust safety culture.
• The introduction of new aircraft requires a meticulous approach, insisting on thorough simulator proficiency checks and certifications for pilots transitioning to these models.
• Merely stating that safety is a priority is insufficient; concrete actions and a commitment to transparency are essential for improving the airline's reputation and overall safety standards.

Conclusion

The aviation incident at Haneda airport serves as a poignant reminder of the critical elements that contribute to professionalism and safety in the industry. From disciplined crew training to transparent reporting and addressing training flaws, the aviation sector must continually learn and adapt. Drawing lessons from global incidents, especially those highlighting successful practices, is essential for elevating safety standards. India, in particular, has much to gain by incorporating these lessons into its aviation practices, ensuring a safer and more secure flying experience for passengers and crews alike.

Source- The Hindu