Airlines report 352 major flight defects till June, Akasa and Air India top list

India's aviation sector has reported a record 352 major flight defects between January and June 2026, according to government data disclosed in response to a query in the Rajya Sabha. The figures highlight a growing concern over aircraft safety and maintenance practices within the industry. The data, shared by Union minister of state for civil aviation Murlidhar Mohol, revealed that 334 of these defects occurred on domestic flights, while the remaining eight were on international routes. Akasa Air emerged as the airline with the highest number of reported defects, accounting for 152 incidents during the six-month period. This was followed by Air India Express with 53, IndiGo with 47, and Air India with 46. Low-cost carrier SpiceJet reported nine defects, while smaller regional carriers such as Star Air, Fly91, and India One Air contributed 29, nine, and five defects respectively. Cargo operator Blue Dart had just two reported issues. The data reflects a troubling trend in recent years. In 2023, 487 defects were recorded, 436 on domestic flights and 51 on international ones. That number rose sharply to 692 in 2024, with 649 of them occurring domestically. By 2025, the figure jumped further to 889, with 778 on domestic flights and 111 on international routes. Cumulatively, from 2023 through June 2026, the total number of significant flight defects reached 2,420. In addition to the rising number of defects, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India’s aviation regulator, has taken strict enforcement measures against airlines for safety violations. Between January 2024 and June 2026, the DGCA issued 382 show cause notices to airlines. These notices can lead to financial penalties, suspension of approvals, or warnings. From 2023 to 2025, the DGCA reportedly carried out 51 such enforcement actions against Indian carriers for breaching safety standards. Following the tragic Air India Flight 171 crash on June 12, which killed 241 of 242 passengers shortly after takeoff, the deadliest air disaster in India in three decades, the DGCA initiated special audits at major airports. The incident prompted renewed scrutiny of safety protocols and maintenance procedures across the sector. The crash has raised questions about whether the increasing number of defects and regulatory actions have been adequately addressed. The data underscores the need for stricter oversight and improved compliance among airlines. While some carriers have been identified as repeat offenders, others have managed to maintain lower defect rates. However, the overall numbers suggest systemic challenges in maintaining consistent safety standards across the industry. The government has not yet commented publicly on specific steps being taken to address the issue beyond the enforcement actions already undertaken. Industry experts have pointed to the need for more rigorous inspections and better maintenance schedules. They argue that the rise in defects could be linked to increased operational pressure, aging fleets, or insufficient investment in infrastructure. Some analysts believe that the current regulatory framework may not be sufficient to prevent future incidents. The DGCA has not released detailed breakdowns of the nature of the defects or the specific airlines affected beyond the aggregate figures. Nor has it clarified how many of the reported defects led to actual flight cancellations or delays. The lack of transparency has fueled concerns among passengers and industry stakeholders about the reliability of the data and the effectiveness of current safety measures. With the latest data revealing a sharp increase in flight defects, the focus will likely shift to whether the regulatory body and airlines can implement effective corrective actions. The coming months will see continued monitoring of compliance and enforcement efforts, particularly in light of the recent tragedy. The aviation sector faces mounting pressure to ensure that such incidents do not occur again.