Question : Safety Audit by DGCA

a) whether the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has conducted the annual safety audit of all airlines, if so, the details thereof along with the shortcoming noticed during the said safety audit, airline-wise;

(b) whether the Government has rectified the shortcomings noticed during the earlier annual survey conducted by DGCA;

(c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(d) whether certain airlines have requested for specific revival package to overcome financial turbulence;

(e) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto; and

(f) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to ensure air safety?

The Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Jayant Sinha)

(a) DGCA conducts Regulatory Audit every year as per the Annual Surveillance Programme. The details of the regulatory audits for the years 2017 and 2018 along with the salient observations is attached as Annexure A.;

(b) & (c) The observations/ deficiencies observed during the audit are forwarded to the concerned operators for taking necessary actions. The Action Taken Reports received from airline operators are reviews by DGCA for the appropriateness of the corrective actions taken by the airlines, before the acceptance and closing of the observations.;

(d) & (e) A representation has been received from Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA), recently, for helping the industry by allowing an additional one month unsecured credit on Aviation Turbine Fuel(ATF) & Airport charges. Government has taken several measures to revive the airline industry and ensure long term viability of the sector. The airline industry is a dynamic industry which requires continuous adjustment according to global & domestic needs. The Government has constantly been responding to industry conditions and undertaking specific measures to facilitate and enable growth of the Sector. Steps also include reduction of Central Excise Duty applicable on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) from 14 % to 11 % w.e.f. 11th October, 2018 and rationalization of GST provisions, with a view to revive the airline industry.;

(f) The steps taken to ensure air safety are attached as Annexure B.