DGCA gets new chief as India’s aviation faces turbulent skies

India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), is witnessing a leadership change at a critical juncture, with Vir Vikram Yadav set to take over as the new Director General. He replaces Faiz Ahmed Kidwai , who, after just over a year at the helm, has been appointed as an Additional Secretary at the Department of Personnel & Training.

During Kidwai’s tenure, the DGCA faced multiple challenges, including massive operational disruptions at IndiGo in December 2025, lapses in airline operations, accidents involving non-scheduled operators , and the tragic Air India crash in June last year. As one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets , these incidents put immense pressure on the regulator to maintain high safety standards while supporting airlines through operational and geopolitical headwinds.

Yadav, a 1996-batch IAS officer from Odisha, brings experience as an Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change . His leadership comes as Indian carriers grapple with aircraft shortages, rising fuel prices, and disruptions due to the West Asia conflict .

The DGCA has also introduced passenger-friendly measures . From April 20, airlines must offer at least 60% of seats without extra charges and maintain a transparent seat allocation policy . Other steps include fee-free ticket cancellations or changes within hours of booking, and correction of name errors within 24 hours for tickets booked directly on airline websites. While these measures are welcomed by passengers, airlines have raised concerns about potential revenue loss .

Meanwhile, the latest summer schedule will feature fewer flights, reflecting a cautious approach following last year’s disruptions. Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu highlighted a procurement bottleneck , noting that while 1,700 new planes are on order , supply chain delays could extend deliveries up to 15 years .

As the DGCA transitions to new leadership, the aviation sector will be watching closely. The combination of operational challenges, rising passenger expectations, and global uncertainties will test Yadav’s ability to steer India’s civil aviation safely and efficiently.