Aviation Safety Concerns Dominate Discussions at Wings India 2026 in Hyderabad
Hyderabad: The inaugural day of Wings India 2026, Asia's premier civil aviation exhibition hosted in Hyderabad, was overshadowed by urgent conversations about flight safety. This focus intensified following the tragic plane crash earlier that day which claimed the life of Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar. The somber mood was further compounded by reflections on last year's devastating Air India crash in Ahmedabad that resulted in 260 fatalities.
Systemic Failures and Regulatory Accountability
Aviation professionals and safety experts participating in the event identified multiple systemic deficiencies within India's aviation framework. They placed responsibility for recurring incidents squarely on both regulatory bodies and airline operators. A significant point of contention involved allegations that landing clearances are sometimes granted at airports where runways fail to meet prescribed safety standards or lack adequate equipment, particularly at smaller regional facilities.
Kabir Malik, CEO of Captain Aviation Charter and Helicopter Services, emphasized the critical infrastructure gap: "Beyond unpredictable weather conditions, numerous airports across the country operate without Instrument Landing Systems (ILS). This absence substantially elevates operational risks, frequently causing flight delays or necessitating diversions to alternative airports."
Infrastructure Deficiencies Across Airports
Experts presented concerning statistics about India's aviation infrastructure. While the nation boasts nearly 150 operational airports combining domestic and international facilities, only approximately 60 are equipped with effective, modern landing systems. The majority of remaining airports rely heavily on GPS-based navigation, with some functioning as uncontrolled airstrips. This makes them particularly vulnerable to accidents, operational delays, and diversions during challenging weather conditions like monsoon rains and winter fog.
Maintenance Practices and Operational Lapses
Beyond infrastructure, discussions highlighted poor aircraft maintenance protocols as a contributing factor to fatal aviation incidents. Additional safety concerns raised included:
- Runway incursions where unauthorized vehicles or personnel enter active runways
- Significant staffing shortages in air traffic control towers
- Inadequate frequency and rigor of safety audits across the aviation ecosystem
Critical Pilot Shortage and Fatigue Concerns
A particularly alarming issue that emerged was India's severe pilot shortage, occurring simultaneously with rapid sector expansion. R Asokan, Dean of Aviation at Hindustan Group of Institutions, which announced a memorandum of understanding with Air India during the event, explained the scale: "India requires approximately 5,000 new pilots every two years to meet growing demand as airlines add hundreds of new aircraft annually. This shortfall creates immense pressure on existing pilots."
Experts revealed that many pilots are flying 900 to 1,000 hours annually, significantly exceeding the recommended annual limit of 800 hours. Airlines frequently compel pilots to work more than 40 hours weekly, far beyond the advised 32-hour maximum. This excessive workload leads to:
- Chronic fatigue impairing cognitive function
- Elevated stress levels affecting decision-making
- Reduced situational awareness during critical flight phases
The combination of infrastructure gaps, maintenance issues, regulatory challenges, and human resource constraints presents a complex safety landscape that aviation stakeholders must urgently address to prevent future tragedies.
