**Executive Summary**
This document is a response to Unstarred Question No. 3118 regarding safety audits at airports, to be answered on December 18, 2025. It states that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has recently conducted comprehensive safety audits at five major airports. The document outlines findings and actions taken and notes that the DGCA is preparing the Annual Surveillance Plan (ASP) 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Safety Audits:**
* The DGCA recently conducted comprehensive safety audits at five major airports: Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Patna.
* **Findings:**
* A procedural lapse was observed at Delhi Airport on an Airbus A320-251NX aircraft (VT-ICP) during engine maintenance. The prescribed borescope inspection tool was not utilized, and mandatory safety tools were absent.
* All observations were categorized as Level- II Findings.
* No major/ significant findings were observed.
* **Corrective Actions and Reporting:**
* Observations were forwarded to the concerned organizations for compliance.
* After implementing the necessary corrective measures, the organizations submitted Action Taken Reports (ATRs).
* All findings have since been closed upon the acceptance of satisfactory ATRs.
* **Ramp Safety and Surveillance:**
* DGCA has reviewed findings related to ramp safety and reporting culture.
* These findings are being addressed through the preparation of the Annual Surveillance Plan (ASP) 2026, along with special audits and unplanned checks.
**Impact Analysis**
**Major Airports (Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Patna)**
* **Impact:** These airports have undergone safety audits and are subject to potential corrective actions based on the findings.
* **Action Required:** Continue implementing corrective measures as needed and submitting Action Taken Reports (ATRs) to the DGCA.
**Airlines, Ground Handlers, and Airport Authorities**
* **Impact:** Subject to action by the DGCA based on safety audit findings.
* **Action Required:** Implement corrective measures, submit ATRs, and adhere to the future Annual Surveillance Plan (ASP) 2026, special audits, and unplanned checks.
**DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for conducting safety audits, reviewing findings, and ensuring compliance.
* **Action Required:** Continue conducting safety audits, reviewing Action Taken Reports (ATRs), and preparing the Annual Surveillance Plan (ASP) 2026.
Key Entities Referenced
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA): The primary regulator that conducted the safety audits at airports.
Mumbai: One of the five major airports where safety audits were conducted.
Delhi: One of the five major airports where safety audits were conducted.
Kolkata: One of the five major airports where safety audits were conducted.
Annual Surveillance Plan (ASP) 2026: Plan prepared by DGCA to address ramp safety concerns.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 3118
( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 18th December 2025 )
SAFETY AUDIT AT AIRPORTS
3118. SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has recently conducted comprehensive
surveillance audits at major airports and if so, the details and key findings thereof;
(b) the number of airports where reported defects on aircraft were found due to procedural lapses;
(c) whether any specific incidents were recorded regarding failure to follow safety procedures during
aircraft maintenance, inspection or movement on the runway/taxiway and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the DGCA has taken action against airlines, ground handlers or airport authorities based
on these findings and if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the measures proposed to be taken to strengthen ramp safety, improve reporting culture and
prevent recurrence of such lapses in civil aviation ecosystem of the country?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar Mohol)
(a) to (d): Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has recently carried out comprehensive
safety audits at five major airports namely Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Patna.;
;
A procedural lapse was observed at Delhi Airport on Airbus A320-251NX aircraft (VT-ICP) during
engine maintenance, wherein the prescribed borescope inspection tool was not utilized and mandatory
safety tools were absent.;
;
All observations were categorized as Level- II Findings and duly forwarded to the concerned
organizations for compliance. No major/ significant findings were observed. After implementing the
necessary corrective measures, the organizations submitted Action Taken Reports (ATRs). All
findings have since been closed upon the acceptance of satisfactory ATRs.;
;
(e): DGCA has reviewed the findings related to ramp safety, particularly concerning reporting culture
and recurrence of observations, and has addressed them through the preparation of the Annual
Surveillance Plan (ASP) 2026, along with special audits and unplanned checks.
******