New Delhi:
A financial audit of airlines in India has said revealed how the crisis in the aviation industry may have pushed airlines to cut corners on safety.
Bharat Bhushan, Chairman, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has said there were "significant findings" in the report of the audit, which was carried out over 3-4 months, on issues like maintenance of aircraft, shortage of commanders, pilots and cabin crew, lack of adequate training, scarcity of aircraft engines, components and crucial spares.
Two airlines, Kingfisher and Air India Express have been particularly hauled up and asked to explain how they are ensuring passenger safety.
An extensive survey of the financial status of airlines had led to concerns about whether they might use shortcuts that would endanger passenger safety. "I have met all of them individually to ask for steps about improvement," said Mr Bhushan.
However, the DGCA chief has dispelled all rumours of cancellation of licenses.
Although, in a statement, Sanjay Aggarwal, Chief Executive Officer, Kingfisher, has clarified, "DGCA did not have any significant findings or concerns with regard to safety at Kingfisher Airlines" and that the airline has "adequate number of pilots and engineers to operate our scheduled services," but this news has left the already struggling Kingfisher Airlines red-faced.
The statement further assures that "safety is of paramount importance" but with one-third of Kingfisher's fleet currently grounded for want of spares, engines and components, and 24 pilots quitting in the last two months, the cash-strapped company will have to do much more than issue statements to regain consumer confidence.
The audit report has is also scathing on Air India Express, saying that there is a shortage of technical staff - especially pilots in the company. This is a clear sign of neglect by the government.
Air India Express too, over the coming days will have to show that it is taking adequate steps to ensure flyer safety. And watching them very closely would be the DGCA, as made clear by Mr Bhushan when he said "All of them have been told about the lapses and asked to inform us about their plans to rectify their problems in a time-bound manner. If there are shortfalls or drawbacks, these will have to be addressed."