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Highlighting various steps being taken to boost the country’s civil aviation sector, Civil Aviation Secretary Sameer Kumar Sinha said the number of professionals in regulatory and inspection roles is being doubled.
“India is setting up a National Aviation Security Centre… a first-of-its-kind institute in the region to train investigators and aviation professionals based on global best practices. This initiative represents our long-term vision to build world-class security infrastructure and human capital,” he said, emphasizing that aviation security is a shared responsibility.
He was speaking at the inauguration of the 13th Asia Pacific Accident Investigation Group (APAC-AIG) meeting, which is being held in India for the first time.
At the inauguration, participants stood in silence for a while as a mark of respect to those killed in the deadly Air India plane crash on June 12, which killed 260 people. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is investigating the accident.
AAIB Director General GVG Yugandhar said implementation of AAIB recommendations is a gray area.
Most countries have independent AAIBs.
“All accidents are classified for study and analysis by ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) and all other member states. However, implementation of the recommendations is a gray area as all investigation reports are submitted and hosted by individual AAIBs.
“The recommendations have been kept subjective and have not been further classified…,” Yugandhar said.
He said that one of the challenges faced by all investigative agencies globally is to recruit and retain qualified investigators.
The AAIB Director General also said that it could provide assistance to other countries in defect investigations.
“India has got well-established aerospace, materials testing and research laboratories with experienced scientists. We would like to offer assistance from Indian laboratories for defect investigation by member countries,” he said.
The four-day meeting, which began in the national capital on Tuesday, is being hosted by the AAIB.
About 90 plane crash investigators are expected to attend the meeting.
The AAIB is responsible for classifying safety incidents involving aircraft operating in Indian airspace as accidents, serious incidents or incidents. It conducts detailed investigations of accidents and proposes measures to improve safety.
Currently, the AAIB is investigating around 25 plane crashes, including the deadly Air India plane crash on June 12 that killed 260 people.