India: Staff Shortages at Regulator and Air Traffic Control Endanger Safety, Lawmakers Warn
India has become one of the world’s fastest-growing air markets, but behind this boom lies a problem threatening its safety: a shortage of personnel at the regulatory body and in air traffic control. This warning was issued by a parliamentary committee specializing in aviation, which alerted that serious risks exist if current deficiencies are not corrected.
A Regulator with Half Its Positions Vacant
The report indicates that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is facing “a severe and persistent shortage of technical and regulatory staff,” with nearly half of its positions unfilled. Lawmakers described the situation as “an existential threat to the integrity of the country’s air safety system.”
The crisis erupted amid the investigation into the Air India Boeing 787 accident, which resulted in 260 fatalities in June, considered the worst air disaster in a decade.
Slow and Ineffective Hiring Processes
According to the committee, the root of the problem lies in an obsolete hiring model: an external agency is responsible for selecting personnel for the regulator. The Ministry of Civil Aviation acknowledged that this scheme is “slow and inflexible,” furthermore making it difficult to attract and retain highly qualified professionals.
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Civil Aviation Minister, Ram Mohan Naidu, assured parliament that 190 of the more than 500 vacant positions at the DGCA would be filled by October. However, the commission recommended implementing a specific recruitment campaign and even proposed the creation of a new regulatory authority to replace the current one.
Air Traffic Controllers Under Pressure
The report also scrutinizes air traffic controllers, who work under enormous pressure due to errors in staff planning. Some lack adequate training, which increases exposure to serious incidents.
The commission strongly criticized both the DGCA and the Airports Authority of India for not implementing shift limits for controllers, a “deeply concerning practice” that increases the risk of fatigue and raises the probability of human error in a critical function.
A Challenge for the Future of the Sector
The warning comes just days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted, at a global airline meeting in New Delhi, the key role of aviation in the country’s development plans.
The sector’s growth promises to boost the Indian economy, but lawmakers insist: without a robust regulatory system and well-trained controllers, the safety of millions of passengers could be at stake.
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