DGCA tightens safety net for non scheduled operators, shifts accountability beyond pilots

In a significant overhaul of safety oversight, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation has announced sweeping reforms for non scheduled operators, making it clear that safety lapses cannot be conveniently pinned on pilots alone . The move follows two recent fatal crashes involving charter aircraft, including the January 28 accident near Baramati that killed Ajit Pawar and four others, and a fresh crash in Jharkhand that claimed seven lives.

The regulator’s message was unambiguous: safety must override commercial pressure, VIP commitments, and schedule demands . Among the key changes announced is the formal recognition that the Pilot in Command’s decision to divert, delay, or cancel a flight on safety grounds is final and must not attract commercial consequences. This directly addresses concerns within the charter segment where pilots have at times faced pressure to operate flights despite marginal weather or operational constraints.

Structurally, the DGCA has ordered intensive and surprise audits of non scheduled operators. These will include random Cockpit Voice Recorder checks, cross verification of ADS B data, fuel records, and aircraft technical logs to detect unauthorised operations or falsification. Operators must now publicly disclose aircraft age and maintenance history, and a safety ranking mechanism will be introduced to bring transparency to the sector. Older aircraft and those undergoing ownership changes will face enhanced scrutiny.

Operators running in house Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul facilities will undergo targeted inspections, and those found inadequate will be required to outsource maintenance to approved organisations. Real time weather update systems have been mandated, and compliance with Standard Operating Procedures will be more strictly monitored.

On pilot duty shifts, no new flight duty time limits have been announced, but the regulator has indicated closer monitoring of rostering practices to prevent fatigue related risks. In several past charter aviation incidents over the past decade, early narratives often centred on “pilot error,” while later investigations pointed to deeper organisational failures such as training gaps, weak supervision, or maintenance shortcomings.

By clearly stating that accountable managers and senior leadership will be held personally responsible for systemic non compliance , the DGCA has signalled a shift in accountability from cockpit to management. Pilots, however, will still face strict penalties for proven violations, including licence suspension of up to five years.

The first phase of special safety audits will conclude in early March, followed by a second phase covering remaining operators. A physical safety workshop will also be convened to ensure alignment with the new mandates.