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Safety audit stalls global expansion of Indian




In June, Air India sought permission from Japanese authorities to start flights to Osaka using a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, but was told that this may not be allowed. Photo: Ramesh Pathania/Mint

New Delhi: The poor performance of India in an audit by the United Nations aviation watchdog of how the country's aviation regulator oversees safety procedures at airlines has crimped the efforts of Indian airlines to expand their international operations.

Japan has already told India it will not allow any new flights till all safety concerns highlighted in the report by the International Civil Aviation Organization (Icao) are addressed, said two government officials with direct knowledge of the matter. Other countries may follow suit.
In June, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the US said it would conduct its own audit of India's air safety processes. The trigger for this was Icao's December audit.

Icao is currently checking whether India has been able to address all the issues highlighted in the audit. Its conclusion next month will decide whether Indian airlines such as Air India Ltd and Jet Airways (India) Ltd can expand their international operations without too much opposition.
In June, Air India sought permission from Japanese authorities to start flights to Osaka using a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, but was told that this may not be allowed.