The Civil Aviation Ministry has shared important details regarding the technical health of aircraft operating in India. Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol informed the Lok Sabha that a detailed analysis was conducted on 754 aircraft across six major airlines. The findings showed that 377 of these aircraft have experienced frequent technical faults since January 2024.
Breakdown of faults by airline
The data presented in the parliament highlights that the Air India Group has faced a significant number of recurring issues. Out of their combined fleet of 267 aircraft, faults were identified in 191 planes. This accounts for about 75% of their total fleet. An Air India spokesperson stated that these numbers reflect their rigorous internal inspections.
Here is the airline-wise data provided by the ministry regarding recurring faults:
| Airline | Total Planes | Affected Planes |
|---|---|---|
| Air India | 166 | 137 |
| Air India Express | 101 | 54 |
| IndiGo | 405 | 148 |
| SpiceJet | 43 | 16 |
| Akasa Air | 32 | 14 |
Government action and safety audits
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has increased its surveillance to ensure passenger safety. The regulator conducted 146 maintenance audits across major airlines up to July 2025. These audits help in identifying potential risks early. Specifically, the DGCA flagged 51 safety lapses in Air India operations and set deadlines for fixing them.
Despite the high numbers reported in specific fleets, the minister noted that the overall trend of technical defects has gone down over the last three years. To further strengthen safety oversight, the government has increased the number of sanctioned technical posts in the DGCA from 637 to 1,063.
