India’s aviation in turbulent skies over safety woes

India's aviation industry has faced a series of challenges that have brought its safety and regulatory standards into question. Prime Minister Narendra Modi once touted the airline sector as a symbol of India's growing prominence, but recent events have exposed significant issues within the country's third-largest domestic aviation market. Two main carriers, Air India and IndiGo, have been at the center of the turbulence, with both companies struggling with safety lapses, regulatory shortcomings, and financial pressures.

The latest incident involved an Air India flight that veered 300 feet midair, injuring 24 passengers. Reports suggest the captain tested positive for marijuana upon landing, leading to a one-time drug screening of all pilots. This latest incident adds to a growing list of safety concerns, including a previous crash of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner that killed 241 people in 2024, as well as an audit identifying around 100 safety lapses at Air India, including seven violations requiring urgent corrective action.

These safety issues have been exacerbated by geopolitical tensions that have squeezed airline profits and forced companies to reassess their expansion plans. The closure of Pakistani airspace due to escalating tensions between India and Pakistan has forced airlines to take longer, more costly routes, while rising jet fuel prices have added to the financial strain.

As a result, Indian carriers have faced mounting losses, with Air India's losses more than doubling to $2.3 billion in the last fiscal year, and IndiGo reporting losses for two consecutive quarters.

The dominance of Air India and IndiGo, which together account for nine out of 10 domestic airline seats, has further complicated the regulator's task. With seven major airlines collapsing or being sold in the past two decades, the duopoly has made it difficult to penalize the two remaining players. The regulatory body, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has been criticized for acting more like a facilitator than a regulator, allowing the industry to operate without adequate oversight.

The situation has raised questions about the effectiveness of regulatory rules and the industry's ability to manage growth. Experts argue that the temporary suspension of pilot fatigue regulations by IndiGo after failing to prepare for new rest rules reflects a broader regulatory failure. The dominance of the two airlines has made it difficult for the regulator to enforce necessary changes, highlighting the need for a more robust and effective regulatory framework to support the industry's growth and ensure safety.