INDIA'S AVIATION STRUGGLES: GROWTH MARRED BY ENGINE FAILURES

In 2024, GoFirst's engine failure and SpiceJet's financial struggles led to operational inefficiencies, raising concerns about aviation safety.

- Ruchira Talapatra

India's aviation sector has witnessed remarkable growth in recent years. The number of operational airports has more than doubled, increasing from 74 in 2014 to 157 in 2024. This growth has been fueled by the government's commitment to expanding aviation infrastructure and initiatives like the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) - UDAN, which has made air travel more accessible to people from various socio-economic backgrounds. However, despite this impressive expansion, the industry has been marred by operational challenges, including flight delays, engine failures, and staff shortages. These issues have significantly affected passenger confidence in the safety and reliability of air travel in India.

One of the major setbacks in 2024 was the engine failure faced by GoFirst, which led to the grounding of several flights. Similarly, SpiceJet has struggled with financial and legal obstacles, exacerbating operational inefficiencies. Despite IndiGo's market dominance with a 61.8% share and Air India's 25.1% share, these operational challenges have cast a shadow over the sector's performance. Even though domestic passenger traffic saw a 4% increase in the first half of 2024, incidents like IndiGo's emergency landing due to engine failure and SpiceJet's flight diversion due to similar issues have raised concerns about maintenance protocols and the overall safety of air travel.