The Centre on Tuesday informed the Parliament that it is in the process of framing fresh safety regulations, in the wake of the Mangalore air disaster which claimed 158 lives. Government also assured that safety will not be compromised on account of financial distress of airlines.
In a statement on a calling attention motion on the Mangalore air crash, aviation minister Mr Praful Patel informed Rajya Sabha that a Court of Inquiry has been initiated into the Mangalore mishap and is expected to submit its report by August 31. Mr Patel said Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has started evaluating the financial health of the scheduled airlines and whether it has an impact on safety.
The DGCA has decided to carry out a special audit of airports identified as critical on a priority basis and review thoroughly the system and facilities at these aerodromes. Recommendations of the audit would be implemented by the Airport Authority of India within a month at 11 airports, the minister said adding that the matter would also be taken up with the defence ministry with regard to the defence airports.
Mr Patel also informed the House that there was no blanking of airspace over Delhi last week and British Prime Minister David Cameron’s aircraft did not face any trouble.
He was replying to questions after the calling attention motion. Mr Patel also denied reports of near-misses saying “no air proximity incident has taken place in the last few years”.
Mr Patel said “it is important to learn from the mistakes”. The minister dismissed members’ concerns about safety at unlicensed airports.