Subhechcha Ganguly 
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will ramp up its safety oversight this year, increasing surveillance checks by 15% as part of its annual programme for aviation operators across India. The decision comes in the aftermath of the June Air India Boeing 787-8 tragedy — one of the country’s worst aviation disasters — which claimed at least 260 lives after the aircraft crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad.
According to DGCA’s 2025 surveillance schedule, reviewed by Hindustan Times, the number of inspections — covering aircraft maintenance, pilot proficiency, and airport safety — will rise to 4,630 in 2025, compared to 4,027 last year.
Officials said the move also follows concerns about mid-air collision risks, which remained above global safety benchmarks in 2024. The regulator’s review showed AIRPROX incidents — where two aircraft come dangerously close — stood at 2.36 per million flights, exceeding the target rate of 1.89.
The enhanced safety drive, regulators say, is aimed at reinforcing checks and restoring public confidence in India’s aviation sector.
