General (Retd) VK Singh, the Minister of State for Civil Aviation, provided information in the parliament indicating that a cumulative count of 338 technical snags had been reported in domestic airlines up to July of the current year.
According to the data disclosed by the minister, IndiGo experienced the highest number of technical snags until July this year, with Air India, Go Air, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air following suit in that order.
“In the previous year as well, IndiGo remained at the forefront in terms of the overall count of technical snags within the domestic airline sector, with SpiceJet and Vistara closely following suit. A total of 546 technical snags were officially recorded in the year 2022.”
“In the year 2021, IndiGo once again registered the highest number of aeroplane snags, narrowly surpassing SpiceJet. A total of 544 instances of technical snags were documented during that period.”
In a response provided in the Rajya Sabha in written form, the minister elaborated that technical glitches within an aircraft could arise from faulty components or equipment installed on the plane, necessitating corrective measures by the airlines before the aircraft can resume operations.
The statement further included that under regulations, operators are obligated to notify the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) about all instances of such snags. These incidents can stem from equipment malfunctions, weather-related factors, and more. Certain instances, such as air turnback, aborted takeoff, or go-arounds, constitute actions taken by pilots to ensure operational safety and typically serve to prevent severe incidents or accidents, as outlined by the minister.
The operator assumes the responsibility of taking corrective measures for technical malfunctions. The DGCA maintains a system of conducting routine oversight, which includes surprise inspections and nighttime monitoring, aimed at ensuring that operators and organizations consistently adhere to regulatory requirements.