‘Civil aviation min yet to address safety concerns’

Nearly two months after an independent air safety panel listed concerns about fliers’ safety at different airports, the civil aviation ministry has failed to address them, said sources.

Nearly two months after an independent air safety panel listed concerns about fliers’ safety at different airports, the civil aviation ministry has failed to address them, said sources.

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In February, the Civil Aviation Safety Advisory Council (CASAC), a government appointed aviation watchdog had pointed out many safety shortcomings at airports, scheduled carriers, helicopter operators and the aviation regulator’s role. The ministry was supposed to come up with an “action taken report” within 30 days, added sources.

“Such meetings seems just a formality if the government does not wish to act on them,” said a senior ministry official.
High rises around Mumbai airport posing threat to passengers’ safety, under-reporting of air mishaps by aviation safety regulator were some of the concerns raised at the meeting chaired by aviation secretary.

Officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), airport operators, helicopter safety experts, airline CEOs and independent air safety experts participated in the meeting.

Sources added that CASAC members are likely to report the lapses cases to the United Nation’s aviation watchdog.

Asok Kumar, joint secretary with the civil aviation ministry said that all the concerns are being reviewed. “Action has been initiated in most of the cases,” said Kumar. Talking about the concerns about high rises around the Mumbai airport he said that the civil aviation secretary would take up the issued with state officials during a meeting on April 4.