Aviation Safety and ICAO Framework

Context

The tragic crash of Air India Flight 171 in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, which resulted in 260 fatalities, has brought India’s aviation safety oversight under intense global scrutiny. The incident, coupled with a growing standoff between pilots and regulators over fatigue rules, highlights the critical need for adherence to international safety standards set by the ICAO.

About the News

Background: In June 2025, an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed 32 seconds after takeoff from Ahmedabad into a medical college hostel. A preliminary report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) in July 2025 revealed that both engines shut down after fuel control switches "transitioned" to the cutoff position. The final cause remains under investigation, sparking debates about transparency in safety reporting.

Key Issues Identified:

Transparency Gap: Critics and lawmakers have noted that while preliminary findings are released, comprehensive final investigation reports for major incidents in India are often delayed or restricted from public view.
Operational Strain: To manage a massive 15-20% annual growth in air traffic, airlines have been accused of stretching crew limits.
Pilot Fatigue: The DGCA faced a legal battle in the Delhi High Court (2025), which resulted in mandatory weekly rest being increased from 36 to 48 hours to prevent "human error" accidents.

International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)

Overview: The ICAO is a specialized agency of the United Nations, established by the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation (1944) to ensure the safe and orderly growth of global civil aviation.

Core Functions:

SARPs: Formulates Standards and Recommended Practices for air navigation, safety oversight, and accident investigation (Annex 13).
Global Aviation Safety Plan (GASP): Sets a roadmap for member states to achieve zero fatalities by 2050.
Audits: Conducts Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programmes (USOAP) to check if countries are complying with safety standards.

India’s Position:

India is a founding member and a signatory to the Chicago Convention.
India maintains a permanent delegation at ICAO headquarters in Montreal.
In 2025-2026, India is implementing its National Aviation Safety Plan (2024-2028), which aligns with ICAO’s global safety goals.

Challenges in Safety Oversight

Pilot Shortage: India produces ~800 job-ready pilots annually against a demand for 2,000+, leading to intense pressure on existing crew rosters.
Technical Threats: 2025 saw a rise in "GPS spoofing" incidents at major airports like Delhi and Mumbai, where false navigation data interfered with cockpit systems.
Regulatory Independence: Concerns exist regarding whether the DGCA and AAIB have sufficient autonomy from the Ministry of Civil Aviation to investigate and penalize state-backed or major private carriers.

Way Forward

Mandatory Transparency: Aligning with ICAO Annex 13, India should ensure that final accident reports are made public within 12 months of an incident to facilitate industry-wide learning.
Fatigue Risk Management System (FRMS): Transitioning from rigid duty hours to data-driven software that monitors real-time crew alertness, as recommended by ICAO.
Infrastructure & Tech: Upgrading ground-based navigation systems to counter cyber threats like GPS spoofing and signal interference.

Conclusion

The Ahmedabad air crash serves as a somber reminder that rapid industrial expansion must not outpace safety protocols. As a leading member of ICAO, India’s commitment to adopting the 2026-2028 Global Aviation Safety Plan will be vital in restoring public confidence and ensuring the "zero fatality" target becomes a reality.

Aviation Safety and ICAO Framework