Aviation watchdog DGCA climbs global ranks, wins ICAO award

India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has bagged the prestigious International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Council president certificate for improving the country’s air safety oversight and meeting global benchmarks.

The award was presented to DGCA chief Faiz Ahmed Kidwai at the opening of the ICAO Assembly in Montreal on Tuesday, an event that will continue till October 3.

The recognition is part of ICAO’s “No Country Left Behind” initiative, aimed at ensuring all nations meet consistent safety benchmarks. “The eligibility criteria for this recognition are objective and transparent and are based on the results of the ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme Continuous Monitoring Approach,” ICAO said in its communication to Kidwai.

India’s journey to this milestone was far from smooth. In 2017, the country’s Effective Implementation (EI) score stood at just 55.15 per cent, with audits pointing to shortcomings in laws, organisation, licensing, flight operations, aircraft safety, accident investigations, and airport services.

A series of reforms followed, leading to a dramatic turnaround in the November 2022 ICAO audit, where India scored 85.65 per cent, its highest ever.

The jump pushed India into the global top 50 for the first time, ranking 48^th and surpassing aviation giants including China (49), Israel (50), and Turkey (54). In contrast, India was ranked 102^nd in 2018, behind Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh.