According to a PTI report, to enhance safety standards in the aviation sector, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will audit all aviation training institutes and take punitive action against the airlines and airports if they were found not adhering to safety measures.

During the recently held second meeting of Civil Aviation Safety Advisory Council (CASAC), Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said, �DGCA will audit all aviation training institutes, including all aviation engineering training institutes, flight training institutes, crew training institutes to enhance safety standards in the aviation sector. A team consisting of DGCA officials and experts in the field of aviation will be set up to audit these institutes. The team will assess and approve the institutes to ensure better training with stress on the quality of training so that the personnel in the aviation sector are well-versed with all safety requirements.�

During the meeting Patel reviewed the steps taken by DGCA and Airports Authority of India (AAI) in upgrading all safety related issues in the aviation sector. Speaking to the Members of the Committee present in the meeting, Patel said, �The operators, both airlines and airports, were largely responsible for ensuring safety in the aviation sector and it was imperative that they have detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in place in this regard.�

He asked DGCA to be strict and take punitive action after fixing responsibilities in case there was non-adherence to safety measures by anyone. He said all operators should be present at all CASAC meetings as safety is paramount in the aviation sector.