Creating ‘substantial’ additional posts in DGCA to strengthen safety; adequate oversight on SpiceJet: Scindia – Times of India
NEW DELHI: The government is creating “substantial” additional posts in the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) “for enhancing its safety oversight function”. Union aviation minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia has also allayed fears about safety concerns raised for SpiceJet raised by Rajya Sabha member Priyanka Chaturvedi following a recent incident of smoke in aircraft cabin of the airline by informing her of enhanced surveillance checks on the budget carrier.
Chaturvedi had recently written to Scindia, alleging non-compliance of safety and emergency protocols by SpiceJet. “I have had the matter examined. Based on the preliminary investigation, evidence of engine oil was found in engine bleed-off valve which had led to the oil entering the aircraft air conditioning system resulting in smoke in the cabin. The observations made by DGCA were communicated immediately to SpiceJet for rectification. DGCA is keeping a close watch on the situation and shall take all appropriate action to avert any untoward incident,” Scindia said in a reply to Chaturvedi on October 21.
“…this ministry and DGCA, the safety regulator, places highest importance on the safety of air operations and have taken several proactive measures to enhance the safety of air operations and minimising air occurrences… DGCA has further conducted 59 spot checks on SpiceJet aircraft. In September, 2022, DGCA had also restricted the number of departures of SpiceJet to 50% of the number of departures approved under summer schedule 2022 for a period of eight weeks and further extended upto 28 October, 2022.”
“…surveillance inspections as per the annual surveillance plan for SpiceJet has been increased to 47 in 2022-23 as against 33 in 2019-20, Further, overall 155 surveillance inspection were carried on aircraft in 2019-20. In year 2022-23, 202 surveillance inspection have been completed so far. Moreover, DGCA continues to take proactive measures to ensure that the level of safety standards is maintained by the airline. In case of any non-compliances, DGCA ensures that appropriate enforcement action is taken,” Scindia’s letter says.
The ministry is strengthening the DGCA by way of creation of substantial number of posts in the agency for enhancing its safety oversight function.
The DGCA has lifted the 50% cap on its flight operations from this winter schedule that will be effective October 30. The low cost carrier, which expects funding of about Rs 1,000 crore from the government’s modified emergency credit scheme, has been allowed to operate 3,193 weekly domestic flights — up 6.6% from last winter’s figure of 2,995.
Chaturvedi had recently written to Scindia, alleging non-compliance of safety and emergency protocols by SpiceJet. “I have had the matter examined. Based on the preliminary investigation, evidence of engine oil was found in engine bleed-off valve which had led to the oil entering the aircraft air conditioning system resulting in smoke in the cabin. The observations made by DGCA were communicated immediately to SpiceJet for rectification. DGCA is keeping a close watch on the situation and shall take all appropriate action to avert any untoward incident,” Scindia said in a reply to Chaturvedi on October 21.
“…this ministry and DGCA, the safety regulator, places highest importance on the safety of air operations and have taken several proactive measures to enhance the safety of air operations and minimising air occurrences… DGCA has further conducted 59 spot checks on SpiceJet aircraft. In September, 2022, DGCA had also restricted the number of departures of SpiceJet to 50% of the number of departures approved under summer schedule 2022 for a period of eight weeks and further extended upto 28 October, 2022.”
“…surveillance inspections as per the annual surveillance plan for SpiceJet has been increased to 47 in 2022-23 as against 33 in 2019-20, Further, overall 155 surveillance inspection were carried on aircraft in 2019-20. In year 2022-23, 202 surveillance inspection have been completed so far. Moreover, DGCA continues to take proactive measures to ensure that the level of safety standards is maintained by the airline. In case of any non-compliances, DGCA ensures that appropriate enforcement action is taken,” Scindia’s letter says.
The ministry is strengthening the DGCA by way of creation of substantial number of posts in the agency for enhancing its safety oversight function.
The DGCA has lifted the 50% cap on its flight operations from this winter schedule that will be effective October 30. The low cost carrier, which expects funding of about Rs 1,000 crore from the government’s modified emergency credit scheme, has been allowed to operate 3,193 weekly domestic flights — up 6.6% from last winter’s figure of 2,995.
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