Rama Krishna Sangem
All frequent flyers know this. Intense price wars or fare cut offers between Indigo and Air India airlines are a common feature in our country. On and of, they offer sharp discounts on ticket fares, poaching into each other’s loyal customers. Those who check for cheaper air tickets often prefer an airline that gives them discounted fares. So far so good, do they know that a discount beyond a point results in compromises on their own safety?
Probably not. Aviation experts are raising concerns over discounted tickets, an attempt by airlines to woo passengers, is not without its spin off effects. Right from in-flight frills to the very maintenance of aircraft are invariably hit by these cheaper fares. Who will prefer to incur losses, by deploying huge workforce and following elaborate security and safety drills, if the ticket fare paid by passengers is far below the viability level? But, no one has time for this aspect.
Does the DGCA (Director General of Civil Aviation) has a minimum protocol on aircraft maintenance? If so, why the authority has now ordered a safety auditing of all Air India’s 200 plus air crafts? The issue came into sharp focus after the country’s worst every air disaster at Ahmedabad on June 12, Thursday. As the death toll – close to around 300 – as still counting – has numbed the entire nation and the air travelers all over the world. Now we need to examine each of the factors that might affect our air safety.
Price wars & their impact
While a price war might incentivize airlines to cut costs, including potentially on safety measures, there’s no definitive evidence that it directly leads to a compromise on air safety in India. However, the possibility exists, and it’s a concern that needs to be monitored. It’s difficult to definitively say whether “our” aircraft maintenance is “good” without more context.
The quality of aircraft maintenance varies greatly depending on the specific airline, maintenance provider, and the type of aircraft. However, aircraft maintenance is generally a very high-stakes and critical process, with a focus on safety and compliance.
Factors Affecting Aircraft Maintenance Quality: Regulation and Compliance: Aircraft maintenance is heavily regulated by aviation authorities like the FAA (in the US) or the EASA (in Europe), ensuring standards are met. Maintenance Practices: Effective maintenance involves regular inspections, proactive maintenance (preventing issues before they arise), and timely repairs.
Training and Expertise: Aircraft maintenance engineers (AMEs) require extensive training and certification to perform their jobs effectively.
Technological Advancements: New technologies like predictive maintenance and data analytics are being implemented to improve efficiency and reliability in aircraft maintenance.
Financial Considerations: The cost of aircraft maintenance, including downtime, can be significant, leading to pressures on airlines to balance cost with reliability.
Overall Outlook: The global aviation industry is constantly evolving, with increasing demand for skilled AMEs and a focus on improving safety and efficiency. While challenges remain in areas like downtime, complex compliance, and managing large datasets, airlines and maintenance providers are investing in new technologies and practices to enhance aircraft maintenance.
