India's Aviation Regulator Faces Crucial US FAA Safety Assessment in November

India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), is set to undergo a safety oversight assessment by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in November, according to Saurabh Sinha’s TOI report.

The review comes after a challenging period for Indian aviation, marked by several high-profile incidents in 2025, including the Air India Ahmedabad crash, multiple helicopter accidents in Uttarakhand, a disruption in Delhi’s air traffic control systems, and operational challenges faced by IndiGo.

According to the report, a poor outcome in the FAA assessment could affect the expansion plans of Indian carriers in the US market. While Air India may face hurdles in adding new routes, IndiGo’s plans to launch additional services to the US could also come under greater scrutiny. Aircraft and crew operated by Indian airlines may be subjected to enhanced oversight by US authorities.

Government officials cited by TOI said they are confident that India will perform well in the assessment and do not anticipate any downgrade in status. The FAA typically conducts such reviews every five years to evaluate a country's compliance with aviation safety standards laid down by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

India last underwent the FAA’s International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) in 2021, when its effective implementation score improved to 85.65% from 69.95%, reflecting stronger compliance with ICAO norms.

However, the report noted that India continues to face periodic reassessments as the DGCA’s technical staffing has not expanded at the same pace as the country’s rapidly growing aviation sector. The proposed creation of an independent Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), aimed at strengthening regulatory oversight, has remained pending for years.

Industry observers cited by TOI said a more autonomous and adequately staffed regulator could help India strengthen safety oversight mechanisms and facilitate deeper engagement with international aviation regulators.

The FAA review is expected to assess the DGCA’s capability to maintain and enforce aviation safety standards as India’s aviation market continues to expand.

With inputs from TOI.