Safety Seminar 2025

New Delhi, December 19, 2025 - The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, successfully hosted a Safety Seminar 2025 at the Indian Aviation Academy, New Delhi. The theme of the seminar was "Enhancing Aviation Safety through Collaboration," which brought together senior government officials from MoCA, DGCA, industry leaders along-with aviation professionals from across India's civil aviation ecosystem.

The seminar was inaugurated by Shri Samir Kumar Sinha, Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, who underscored that "safety is not a fixed destination but an ongoing journey-demanding vigilance, compliance, and accountability." Through examples, he vividly illustrated critical safety concerns, which resonated strongly with the audience and reinforced the collective responsibility of maintaining a secure aviation environment.

During the seminar, the Secretary stated, "India stands proudly as the world's third-largest domestic civil aviation market. Over the past decade, passenger traffic within the country has grown at an impressive average rate of 9% annually, while cargo volumes have risen by 2.9%. Our fleet strength has more than doubled, expanding from 395 aircraft in 2014 to 844 by 2025, underscoring the extraordinary momentum of the sector."

Shri Samir Kumar Sinha emphasised, "The year 2025 has been a period of learning and transformation for Indian civil aviation. While challenges have tested our resilience, they have also strengthened our resolve to enhance safety, efficiency, and public confidence. These experiences have united the aviation community with renewed determination to build a safer and more robust future for air travel in India."

The Secretary further added, "Another area which needs to be highlighted and is part of the deliberations today, is operational risk that is introduced by maintenance errors. They induce mechanical faults and system failures."

In his welcome address, Shri Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, Director General, DGCA, reaffirmed the regulator's commitment to proactive safety oversight and global alignment. He outlined key initiatives including the implementation of the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024, State Safety Programme and the National Aviation Safety Plan (2024-2028).

The day-long event featured three technical sessions addressing safety challenges namely Runway Incursion, Positive Safety Culture in Aviation and Maintenance Error. Each session brought together experts from both regulatory and industry domains to discuss root causes, share best practices and proposed mitigation strategies. Emphasis was placed on the importance of a proactive, risk-based approach to safety management, supported by continuous learning and cross-sector collaboration.

Interactive Q&A segments followed each panel, encouraging open dialogue and the exchange of insights among participants.

The seminar was widely appreciated by industry stakeholders, who welcomed DGCA's initiative as a timely and much-needed platform for collaborative engagement. Participants lauded the regulator's efforts to foster transparency, strengthen safety culture, and align national standards with global aviation standards.

This landmark seminar marks a significant step in DGCA's ongoing safety promotion efforts. It has set the stage for deeper partnerships and sustained dialogue aimed at elevating India's aviation safety framework to new heights.

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Divyanshu Kumar