India’s aviation sector has expanded from 66 million passengers in 2014 to 161 million in 2024. But safety regulators have shrunk in capacity. Agencies like the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) are underfunded and understaffed, with nearly half their sanctioned posts vacant, leaving critical safety checks and audits compromised.
Budget Cuts Amid a Safety Emergency
The Ministry of Civil Aviation’s budget has been slashed by 23% in two years, while capital outlay has dropped 91%. Parliamentary panels have repeatedly flagged these cuts, warning that they hinder modernisation and growth. Despite increasing air traffic and fleet sizes, government support for safety and infrastructure continues to erode.
Pilot and ATCO Shortage Reaches Alarming Levels
India needs more than 30,000 pilots in the next decade, but existing training facilities like IGRUA are unable to meet even half the annual demand. Similarly, over 30% of air traffic controller posts remain vacant, raising serious questions about safety management during peak air traffic, particularly with new airports being built rapidly.
Neglect of Aviation Institutions Fuels Private Interests
Public institutions like IGRUA and RGNAU have seen budget cuts while private flying schools mushroom. Experts allege this neglect is intentional, enabling a profit-first ecosystem at the cost of pilot quality and safety. Only 53% of Indian pilots are now trained domestically, down from 59% just a few years ago.
Systemic Collapse Could Lead to More Tragedies
From non-qualified crew on commercial flights to aircraft flying with unresolved technical faults, India’s aviation ecosystem is teetering on the edge. Experts warn that current aircraft may be new, but without proper inspections, aging fleets will reveal flaws. Without swift reforms, more Air India 171-like disasters may be imminent.
