SpiceJet Under Increased Surveillance by DGCA
On Thursday, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) made the decision to place the struggling airline, SpiceJet, under stringent surveillance. This move aims to enhance safety measures for the airline’s operations by increasing on-site inspections and nighttime monitoring.
Background of the Monitoring Decision
Reports of flight cancellations and financial difficulties faced by SpiceJet have prompted the DGCA to act. As part of their assessment, the DGCA conducted a special audit of the airline’s engineering facilities on August 7 and 8, during which several shortcomings were identified.
Overview of Increased Oversight
According to a press release from DGCA, due to past records and the special audit conducted in August 2024, SpiceJet is now subject to immediate and increased surveillance measures. The statement indicated that the frequency of on-site inspections and nighttime monitoring will be substantially increased to ensure operational safety.
Similar Actions Against Other Airlines
It is noteworthy that the DGCA had placed SpiceJet under intense scrutiny in 2023 as well. Furthermore, in the recent press release, it was revealed that DGCA imposed a fine on Air India Express for failing to compensate passengers for canceled flights—amounting to ₹1 million.
Regulatory Actions Against Akasa Air
In addition to SpiceJet, the DGCA also issued a show-cause notice to Akasa Air. The regulatory authority revealed that multiple regulatory violations were found during a recent review of Akasa Air’s operations, leading to the issuance of this notice.
Historic Context of SpiceJet’s Regulation
On July 27 of the previous year, the DGCA had similarly placed SpiceJet under rigorous monitoring due to safety incidents. The airline was instructed to reduce its total number of flights by 50% for an eight-week period as a safety precaution. The DGCA lifted the restrictions on SpiceJet on October 30 of the same year.
| Airline | Action Taken | Penalty/Fine (if applicable) |
|---|---|---|
| SpiceJet | Increased surveillance | None reported |
| Air India Express | Fined for passenger compensation issues | ₹10 Lakhs |
| Akasa Air | Show-cause notice issued | None reported |
