**Executive Summary**
This document is the answer to Unstarred Question No. 2247 in Lok Sabha concerning fleet integration at Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport. The question, to be answered on February 12, 2026, seeks information on aircraft induction, oversight mechanisms, and coordination between DGCA and airlines. The document details aircraft induction numbers, DGCA's oversight, and explains that fleet harmonisation is a commercial decision for airlines.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Aircraft Induction:**
* The number of wide-body and narrow-body aircraft inducted into scheduled airline operators' fleets over the last three years is detailed in an annexure.
* Indian aviation is deregulated, allowing airlines to operate flights and deploy capacity based on commercial viability.
* Aircraft induction is accompanied by re-delivery/export of existing aircraft upon lease expiry.
* **Oversight and Safety:**
* DGCA has a robust mechanism to monitor aircraft induction, on-time performance, and route rationalisation.
* A multi-layered oversight mechanism ensures airlines strictly comply with safety standards during rapid expansion.
* DGCA approval is required for expansion activities, including aircraft induction, route expansion, and wet/dry leasing.
* DGCA conducts audits, inspections, and surveillance covering various aspects like flight operations, airworthiness, training, and maintenance practices.
* DGCA conducts meetings with airline management to review performance, safety indicators, and compliance status, and can take corrective or enforcement action.
* **Fleet Harmonisation:**
* Fleet harmonisation and service standardisation are commercial decisions for individual airlines based on their business plans.
* The Ministry and DGCA do not directly interfere in this process.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Airline Operators**
* **Impact:** Airlines are responsible for fleet harmonisation based on commercial viability and must adhere to DGCA regulations during expansion. They must also work with DGCA to ensure safety compliance.
* **Action Required:** Airlines must follow DGCA's safety regulations and be aware that fleet harmonisation is at their discretion.
**Stakeholder: Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)**
* **Impact:** DGCA oversees the airline operators' fleet integration, induction, route planning and expansions, while monitoring their adherence to safety standards and initiating corrective actions where necessary.
* **Action Required:** DGCA must continue to monitor airlines for compliance and respond to any deficiencies.
**Stakeholder: Ministry of Civil Aviation**
* **Impact:** The Ministry of Civil Aviation provides oversight of the deregulated civil aviation sector, but does not interfere directly in fleet harmonisation or service standardisation.
* **Action Required:** No direct action required as the Ministry's oversight is ongoing.
Key Entities Referenced
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA): The primary regulator responsible for civil aviation safety and standards in India. DGCA's role is highlighted in the document concerning fleet integration and safety compliance.
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The ministry responsible for the formulation and administration of the rules, regulations and policies relating to civil aviation in India.
Kazi Nazrul Islam Airport, Durgapur in West Bengal: The specific airport where fleet integration is the focus of the parliamentary question.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 2247
( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 12th February 2026 )
FLEET INTEGRATION AT KAZI NAZRUL ISLAM AIRPORT
2247. SHRI SAUMITRA KHAN
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) the number of wide-body and narrow-body aircraft inducted during the last three
years and their current route deployment, especially with reference to Kazi Nazrul
Islam Airport, Durgapur in West Bengal;
(b) the manner in which the Government is overseeing challenges related to aircraft
availability, on-time performance and route rationalisation during fleet integration at
the said airport;
(c) the coordination mechanisms in place between the Directorate General of Civil
Aviation (DGCA) and airline operators to ensure safety compliance during expansion
at the said airport; and
(d) the expected timelines for completion of fleet harmonisation and service
standardisation?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar Mohol)
(a) The number of wide-body and narrow-body aircraft inducted into the fleet of
scheduled airline operators during the last three years is attached as Annexure. With
the repeal of the Air Corporations Act, the Indian aviation sector has been fully
deregulated, and airlines are free to operate flights and deploy capacity on routes based
on their commercial viability and market considerations.
(b): The DGCA has a robust mechanism in place to monitor the induction of aircraft
by airlines, On-Time Performance (OTP) and route rationalisation.
(c) The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has put in place a multi-layered
oversight mechanism to ensure that safety standards are strictly complied with by
airlines, particularly during phases of rapid expansion in fleet size and operations. All
expansion activities, including induction of aircraft, increase in flight operations, route
expansion and wet/dry leasing, are subject to prior approval by DGCA after detailed
scrutiny of safety preparedness. DGCA conducts periodic and special audits,
inspections and surveillance activities covering flight operations, airworthiness,
training, safety management systems (SMS) and maintenance practices. DGCAconduct meetings with airline management and key post-holders to review operational
performance, safety indicators, and manpower adequacy and compliance status. In case
of deficiencies, DGCA takes corrective and enforcement action, including issuance of
show cause notices, operational restrictions or suspension of approvals and financial
penalty, as necessary.
(d): The process of fleet harmonisation and standardisation of services is a commercial
decision of the individual airline operator based on their business plan and the Ministry
and DGCA does not directly interfere in this regard.
******Annexure
Number of wide-body and narrow-body aircraft inducted
Year Wide Body Narrow Body Total
2023 8 104 112
2024 11 129 140
2025 0 95 95
2026 01 7 8
(As on
31.01.2026)
Note: Aircraft induction by the airline operators would be accompanied with re-
delivery/export of their existing aircraft in line with expiry of the lease periods. The
aircraft induction would therefore cater for increase in airline fleet as well as
replacement of existing fleet over the time.