Incidents on loop, but it’s escape for regulator, airlines

The recent incident involving an Air India Airbus A320 at Goa's Mopa Airport, highlights a recurring issue of runway confusion in Indian aviation. The aircraft's crew had to reject takeoff after mistakenly entering a parallel taxiway instead of the main runway. This incident adds to a long list of similar errors in Indian aviation, raising concerns about safety, training standards, and accountability in the sector.

History of Runway Confusion in India

• Long-standing Problem: Since 1993, multiple incidents involving Indian airlines have occurred, including Jet Airways and Spicejet aircraft landing on wrong runways or taxiways, such as the 2002 Dabolim Airport incident.
• Recent Trends: The latest Air India incident adds to a series of runway-related errors, including a Jet Airways aborted takeoff in Riyadh (2024), and an Air India Boeing 787’s close call in Melbourne (2014).
• No Corrective Action: Despite repeated incidents over the years, airlines and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have not taken effective steps to prevent such occurrences, with pilot error often being blamed.

Comparative International Example and Lack of Action

• Singapore’s Response: In 2000, after a tragic crash due to a runway confusion, Singapore Airlines took immediate corrective measures. Since then, there have been no similar major incidents.
• India’s Failure to Learn: In contrast, India continues to face recurring errors, with little improvement in safety measures or training despite numerous warnings and incidents.
• Role of DGCA and Airlines: The DGCA and airlines in India have failed to prioritize corrective measures, leading to recurring safety lapses. Their failure to enforce proper safety protocols and training is evident.

Issues Contributing to Aviation Safety Problems

• Pressure on Crew: Indian airlines often place excessive pressure on pilots and cabin crews to meet tight on-time performance targets, which can lead to violations of flight duty time regulations and errors.
• Pilot Errors and Lack of Training: Several accidents, including the Kozhikode crash, involved pilot decisions driven by fatigue and pressure, with inadequate training on stabilised approach criteria and runway markings.
• Regulatory Failures: The DGCA’s inability to enforce safety regulations and conduct proper audits of airports and airlines has contributed to the continuation of safety deficiencies, which remain unaddressed by the authorities.

Practice Question

Q: Discuss the recurring incidents of runway confusion in Indian aviation and analyze the role of regulatory bodies, airline managements, and training deficiencies in contributing to aviation safety lapses. What steps can be taken to prevent such incidents in the future?