India has been honoured with the prestigious ICAO Council President Certificate in recognition of its progress in establishing an effective aviation safety oversight system. The award was presented during the 42nd Session of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Assembly in Montreal, Canada, on Tuesday.

Recognition for aviation safety improvements

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) chief, Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, received the award on behalf of India. The ICAO Council President, Salvatore Sciacchitano, handed over the certificate.

“In recognition of your State’s progress in establishing an effective safety oversight system and improving the effective implementation of ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices, your State has been selected to receive an ICAO Council President Certificate,” ICAO stated.

The certificate was introduced under ICAO’s ‘No Country Left Behind’ initiative, which rewards nations that have demonstrated significant improvement in aviation safety oversight.

India’s improved global ranking

India achieved its highest-ever Effective Implementation (EI) score of 85.65% during an ICAO audit in November 2022. This marked a sharp improvement from 69.95% in 2018. The milestone propelled India into the top 50 countries in global aviation safety oversight for the first time, now ranked 48th worldwide.

In 2018, India was at the 102nd position, below Nepal (101), Pakistan (100), Bangladesh (94), and Sudan (89). After the latest assessment, India moved ahead of several major aviation markets, including China (49), Israel (50), Turkey (54), Denmark (55), and Poland (60).

Boost for Indian carriers

The improved safety ranking is expected to ease international expansion for Indian airlines. Air India, under the Tata Group, and IndiGo, the country’s largest carrier, have both announced aggressive global expansion plans.

With the higher ICAO rating, Indian carriers are likely to face reduced scrutiny and fewer surprise checks at overseas airports. In contrast, airlines from countries with lower aviation safety standards often encounter additional inspections abroad.

Conclusion

India’s recognition by ICAO highlights the country’s strong progress in aviation regulation and oversight. The DGCA’s achievement not only enhances India’s reputation in global aviation safety but also provides significant operational benefits for airlines eyeing international growth.