Question : Audit of Aircraft Operator

(a) whether the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) undertakes surveillance and regulatory audit of aircraft operators and if so, the details thereof;

(b) the surprise checks conducted by DGCA as part of its oversight activity during each of the last three years and the current year and the number of aircraft grounded as a result thereof;

(c) the total number of foreign pilots, expatriates or retired personnel hired by the public/private airlines for flight operations in the country, airline-wise;

(d) whether the Government has any mechanism to verify the antecedents of foreign pilots, expatriates hired by the private airlines and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(e) the details of the guidelines issued by the Government /DGCA to regulate and monitor the aviation sector?

The Minister of State (IC) in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Hardeep Singh Puri)

(a) Yes, Sir. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issues an Annual Surveillance Plan which contains program of surveillance and regulatory audits for scheduled and non-scheduled operators. Such plan is also made available on DGCA website. In addition, safety audits for airlines, routine surveillance and spot inspection of airports are also done by DGCA.;

(b) The DGCA conducted 3,615 surprise checks during the last 03 years (2018-2020) and 57 surprise checks have been reported during the current year till 29.01.2021. No aircraft has been grounded as a result of these surprise checks.
;
(c) The airline-wise details of total number of foreign pilots hired by public/private airlines as on 28.01.2021 is at Annexure-A.
The total number of retired personnel hired by various public/private airlines for flight operations in the country is at Annexure-B.
;
(d) Yes Sir, the request for verification of antecedents of foreign Pilot is made on the e-Sahaj portal by the operator. The request is forwarded to intelligence agencies by DGCA. Upon receipt of clearance from the agencies, the operator is intimated of the same for further processing of the application for issuance of Foreign Aircrew Temporary Authorization.
;
(e) To regulate civil aviation sector, directions are issued by DGCA as per provisions of Aircraft Rules through Civil Aviation Requirements, AICs (Aeronautical Information Circulars) and Circulars etc., and monitoring is done through surveillance/ inspections/ audits from time to time.