Airline technical defects hit five-year high in 2025, government data shows

Significant technical defects reported by India's scheduled airlines climbed to a five-year high in 2025, with 889 cases recorded during flight operations, according to data presented by the Civil Aviation Ministry in the Lok Sabha.

The figure marked a sharp increase from 692 technical defects reported in 2024 and continued an upward trend seen over the past few years.

Defects rise sharply

In a written response to Lok Sabha MP Shyamkumar Daulat Barve, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said scheduled airlines reported 889 significant technical defects in 2025.

Government data showed that 514 such defects were recorded in 2021, followed by 528 in 2022. The number dipped slightly to 487 in 2023 before climbing to 692 in 2024 and reaching 889 last year.

The 2025 figure represents an increase of nearly 29 per cent over the previous year and about 73 per cent compared with 2021.

Aircraft accidents remain limited

Despite the increase in reported technical defects, the number of aircraft accidents remained relatively low during the five-year period.

Scheduled airlines recorded four accidents in 2021, followed by one in 2022. No accidents were reported in either 2023 or 2024, while one was recorded in 2025, according to the ministry's figures.

The figures underline the distinction between a reported technical defect and an aircraft accident, with the substantial increase in the former not accompanied by a comparable rise in accidents.

Safety violations also increase

The government's data also showed an increase in safety violations involving airlines and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) organisations that resulted in enforcement action by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

Only one such case was recorded in 2021. The number rose to seven in 2022 and then increased sharply to 24 in 2023.

There were 31 cases in 2024, while enforcement action was taken in 42 cases in 2025 — the highest during the five-year period covered by the data.

DGCA details oversight system

Mohol said the DGCA has put in place Civil Aviation Requirements, safety advisories, directives and other regulatory instructions aimed at ensuring safe aircraft operations.

The aviation regulator follows a systematic safety oversight mechanism covering aircraft as well as airport operators.

Its monitoring process includes regulatory audits, night surveillance, ramp inspections, spot checks and special audits. The regulator also publishes an Annual Surveillance Plan detailing its oversight activities.

Operators required to comply

Findings arising from DGCA audits, surveillance exercises and spot checks are communicated to the operators concerned for corrective action.

According to the ministry, the regulator subsequently verifies whether the required action has been taken during the next audit or surveillance exercise.

Where an audit or inspection detects violations or non-compliance with regulations, the DGCA can initiate enforcement proceedings, including the imposition of financial penalties.

The latest government figures come amid heightened scrutiny of aviation safety and maintenance standards as India's commercial aviation sector continues to expand rapidly.