DGCA Introduces Stricter Safety Measures for Non-Scheduled Flight Operators

Following a recent surge in accidents involving non-scheduled flight operators (NSOPs), including a fatal air ambulance crash in Jharkhand, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) announced stringent safety measures. These include mandatory public disclosure of aircraft maintenance history, a safety ranking system for NSOPs, increased random audits of cockpit voice recorders and technical logs, and stricter penalties for non-compliance. The DGCA emphasized that safety must take precedence over commercial interests and that senior management will be held accountable for systemic lapses, not just pilots.