New Delhi: India’s aviation sector is witnessing an unprecedented surge, creating fertile ground for new airline entrants even as safety concerns come sharply into focus. The country’s fleet of commercial jets has nearly doubled over the past decade, with another 2,000 aircraft currently on order. This rapid expansion, officials say, requires enhanced regulatory oversight and a boost in manpower to ensure passenger safety and operational efficiency.
Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, speaking on the sidelines of the United Nations aviation agency’s triennial assembly in Montreal, emphasized that India’s growth trajectory in air travel is opening opportunities for more carriers. “What we feel is that there is scope for more airlines because the way the sector is growing, we need more players. If more carriers come, yes, they’ll have an opportunity,” Kidwai stated.
The burgeoning market is underscored by record travel figures, with 174 million Indian domestic and international passengers taking to the skies in 2024. Yet this growth has not been without challenges. A catastrophic Air India crash in June, which claimed 260 lives, has intensified scrutiny of safety practices. Preliminary investigations suggest pilot confusion in the cockpit immediately after takeoff, highlighting potential gaps in training and protocol adherence.
The DGCA has reported 263 safety-related lapses among Indian airlines this year, and a parliamentary committee has warned that insufficient staffing at the regulator could jeopardize passenger safety. As India positions itself as one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets, officials acknowledge that maintaining stringent safety oversight is critical even as new airlines enter the fray.
While established carriers such as IndiGo and Air India dominate the skies, rising demand and infrastructure expansion are creating room for newcomers. Analysts suggest that new entrants could help distribute the soaring passenger load, provided they comply with stringent safety standards.
The Supreme Court of India has also sought government responses to pleas for independent investigations into the Air India disaster, underscoring the delicate balance between rapid growth and regulatory vigilance. As India’s aviation industry accelerates, the challenge will be to ensure that expansion does not outpace the mechanisms designed to protect passengers and preserve confidence in the sector.