352 significant flight defects reported this year, Akasa Air tops list: Govt data

The government on Monday informed Parliament that 352 significant technical defects were reported in domestic and international flight operations during the first six months of 2026. Of these, 334 defects were related to domestic services, while 18 pertained to international flights, according to data presented by the Civil Aviation Ministry in the Rajya Sabha.

In a written reply, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol provided the breakdown of the defects across airlines. Akasa Air accounted for the highest number at 152, followed by Air India Express with 53 and IndiGo with 47. Air India reported 46 defects, SpiceJet nine, Star Air 29, Fly91 nine, India One Air five, and Blue Dart two.

The data further showed that Akasa Air alone reported 151 significant defects in domestic operations during the period. However, the minister did not disclose specific details about the nature of these defects.

The figures were furnished in response to a query from CPI(M) member John Brittas, who sought information on safety violations and technical defects identified in domestic and international flight operations over the last three years. For the period from 2023 up to June 2026, the total number of significant defects reported stood at 2,420, as per the data.

Separately, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued 382 show cause notices to airlines for safety violations between January 2024 and June 2026. The minister also informed that the DGCA took 51 enforcement actions against scheduled airlines for major violations of safety standards from 2023 to 2025. These actions included financial penalties, suspension of approvals or authorisation, and warnings.

"During the period from January 2024 to June 2026, DGCA issued 382 show-cause notices to airlines in respect of safety violations. These violations are addressed as per the Enforcement Policy and Procedure Manual of DGCA," Mohol said in the written reply.

Pursuant to a safety circular dated June 19, 2025, the DGCA conducted a comprehensive special audit at major airports to assess the aviation ecosystem and strengthen the aviation safety architecture. The circular was issued after the fatal crash of an Air India Boeing 787-8 aircraft on June 12, 2025, which killed 260 people. The aircraft, en route to London Gatwick, crashed soon after take-off from Ahmedabad airport.

The surveillance covered multiple critical areas, including flight operations airworthiness, aircraft maintenance, ground handling ramp safety, aerodrome operations, air traffic management, communication, navigation and surveillance systems, cabin safety, and other operational aspects.

"During the surveillance, certain non-compliances and procedural deficiencies relating to airlines, aircraft maintenance organisations, ground handling agencies, airport operators and associated aviation stakeholders were observed. The observations were primarily related to maintenance practices, defect reporting, ground handling equipment, airside operations, aerodrome infrastructure, and operational procedures," Mohol said. He added that all observations were duly addressed and rectified by the concerned organisations.

The response came in reply to Brittas's query on whether the DGCA had detected multiple violations related to airlines, airports, and aircraft maintenance works during its surveillance at major airports following the Ahmedabad crash.