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After Ahmedabad crash, there is an atmosphere of fear among the people about air travel and several passengers cancelled their bookings. Watch the full analysis with senior journalist Manoj Tibrewal Aakash:
Air disasters scaring flyers (Source: Internet)
New Delhi: After the horrific plane crash in Ahmedabad, there has been a deep concern about air safety across the country. This was not just an incident, but a signal that has raised a big question on the preparations, procedures and vigilance of the Indian aviation sector. This accident not only took a toll on the lives of passengers, but its effects are also being seen on the image and operations of air services across the country. The incidents happening continuously after this accident indicate that there is a systemic lapse somewhere and the time has come to understand its seriousness.
Vateran journalist Manoj Tibrewal Aakash said on his show 'The MTA Speaks', on 12 June, an Air India flight flying from Ahmedabad to London went out of control and fell seconds after takeoff and collided with a nearby medical college hostel. In this tragic accident, all 241 passengers on board the plane died. Along with this, many students, doctors and medical staff present in the hostel also came under the grip of this accident.
According to reports, there was about 1.25 lakh liters of fuel in the plane, which turned into a huge explosion after the collision. This incident is considered to be one of the most horrific accidents in India's aviation history. Questions are being raised whether there was a technical fault in the plane beforehand? Was there any lapse in maintenance? And could this accident have been avoided?
After this accident, an atmosphere of fear has been created in the minds of people across the country about air travel. Passengers not only started canceling bookings but also started raising questions on social media about the safety related to travel. After this accident, Air India's ticket bookings have seen a decline of about 20%. Especially family and corporate travelers are now considering traveling by alternative means. Not only this, Air India has announced that its flights will be reduced by about 15% from June 21 to July 15. This reduction will be especially on international routes, which include Delhi-Toronto, Delhi-Vancouver, Delhi-San Francisco, Delhi-Chicago and Delhi-Washington.
The situation of Air India is quite unusual at this time. In the last 9 days, the company has canceled 84 flights. The airline is citing maintenance and operational reasons, but experts believe that this is only half the truth. Passengers are not being informed whether any additional steps are being taken regarding security behind the cancellation of these flights or the airline is facing some internal crisis. There has been no concrete public statement or detailed investigation report from the government and DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation). This silence has created even more confusion and fear in the minds of passengers.
Reports of international organizations also now demand re-examination in the context of India's aviation safety. India has scored 85% in ICAO's recent Universal Safety Oversight Audit Program, which is higher than the global average. America's FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) has also given India a 'Category 1' rating, which means that India's aviation authority meets international safety standards. But accidents like Ahmedabad raise questions on the credibility of these ratings.
Along with this, the fact that the shortage of pilots and engineering staff in India is becoming a big challenge is also important. According to a report of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, there is currently a shortage of more than 15% skilled aviation staff. Psychological effects such as fatigue, overwork and reduced decision-making ability can have a direct impact on the safety of flights.
After the Ahmedabad accident, the black box data has not been made public yet and neither has any preliminary investigation report been revealed. This lack of transparency further weakens the trust of passengers.
After this incident, questions have also been raised about helicopter services. Especially during the Chardham Yatra of Uttarakhand, the frequent accidents in heli services have increased the concern. In the last one and a half months, 5 major helicopter accidents have taken place in the country. On May 8, a helicopter of Aerotans Service Private Limited crashed in Gangani, Uttarkashi. 6 people including the pilot died in it. Four days later, another helicopter returning from Badrinath was forced to make an emergency landing due to bad weather. However, all the people on board remained safe.
On 17 May, AIIMS heli ambulance which was going to Kedarnath also crashed. Then on June 8, a helicopter crashed on the road after taking off from Badasu helipad, in which a car was also damaged. On June 12, a helicopter going from Kedarnath to Guptkashi crashed near Gaurikund. Seven people died in this accident, including a two-year-old girl.
After these incidents, the government announced a temporary ban on helicopter services for the Char Dham Yatra and talked about making strict guidelines, but why all this only after the incidents? Why were the operator companies not investigated in time? It is the responsibility of the DGCA to audit these services from time to time, check the licenses and safety procedures and ensure compliance with the rules. But the incidents show that this system is either weak or is not being followed seriously.
Insurance and passenger compensation is also a serious concern in the aviation sector. Most airlines in India provide a maximum insurance amount of up to Rs 20 lakh, but it is applicable only when the airline is proven guilty. Many families have to go through the legal process, which further deepens the mental and financial loss.
Experts believe that India's aviation system is growing rapidly but the security infrastructure is not growing at the same pace. India's position is getting stronger at the international level but repeated incidents at the domestic level are damaging this image. ICAO's recent report showed improvement in India's aviation safety ranking, but these accidents seem to be making that ranking hollow.
Amidst all this, another incident at Patna airport has raised more questions on the functioning of Air India. Two flights from Bengaluru and Chennai reached Patna, but their luggage did not reach the passengers. About 180 passengers waited for hours at the baggage belt and then got angry and started arguing with the airline staff. The passengers said that their luggage was not brought to the flights without any information, which also affected their further journey. No clear or public apology was given by Air India, nor was it explained how this mistake happened.
All these incidents have affected the reputation of air travel in the country. People are afraid that something may happen to them in the next flight. For aviation companies, this is not just a business crisis but a crisis of trust. Passengers now want safe travel and not just convenient. They need to be assured before every takeoff that the plane or helicopter is fully fit and tested for flight.
In a recent survey, about 48% of passengers said that they now feel extreme stress before taking a flight. About 28% of passengers said that they would now prefer alternative modes of travel. This is not just a sign of a technical crisis but also of social and mental impact.
So far no high-level transparent investigation committee or conclusion has been brought before the public by the government. Passengers and the public have the right to know who is responsible for these repeated incidents, and what action has been taken on them. If accidents are happening due to technical reasons, then information about the maintenance and engineering protocols related to them should be made public. If there is human error, then the standards of training, monitoring and accountability should be reviewed. And if the system is failing, then it needs to be audited in depth.
Confidence in Indian flights will return only when the government and airlines assure passengers not just in words but also in actions. Transparency, accountability and commitment to safety are the foundations on which the credibility of air travel can be restored. Today India needs a policy focused on humanity and not profit in aviation. This is not just a question of one sector, it is a question of every citizen who entrusts the most precious flight of his life to us.
