The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has announced strict new safety regulations for non-scheduled flight operators following a high-level review meeting held yesterday in response to a recent increase in aviation incidents.
The regulator stated that safety must take precedence over commercial considerations, including charter and VIP commitments, and reiterated that a Pilot-in-Command's decision based on safety grounds will be final.
Under the new measures, operators must publicly disclose key safety details such as aircraft age, maintenance history, and pilot experience.
The DGCA will introduce safety rankings, intensify cockpit voice recorder and data audits, and hold senior management accountable for systemic failures.
Stricter penalties, including license suspension and action against operator permits, have also been prescribed. The second phase of special safety audits of non-scheduled operators will begin next month after the current audit cycle concludes.
