Inclement weather enhances risks of safety incidents and accidents such as runway excursions | Photo Credit: MOORTHY RV

Mumbai: Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is inspecting airports to ensure implementation of all safety related standard operating procedures.

This comes in the backdrop of June 7 incident at Delhi when a step ladder and ground equipment hit three parked Air India aircraft after being swept away in gusty winds.

On June 19, Director General Vir Vikram Yadav chaired a meeting to review preparedness of airports for monsoon. Instructions were given on wildlife hazard management, airside surveillance and runway condition assessment.

Airports have also been advised to explore the possibility of using drones for inspections subject to regulatory approvals and safety assessments.

Necessary Safety

Inclement weather enhances risks of safety incidents and accidents such as runway excursions and bird strikes. Airports have been directed to ensure ground handling equipment is properly secured in order to prevent accidents. The regulator has also asked airports to remove unused equipment from operational areas.

DGCA officers are checking whether airports have all procedures in place and ground staff is trained to take necessary safety actions.

Airport operators carry out daily inspections of runway and airside areas to check runway condition, surface lights and signage. Inspections are also done on the basis of pilot observations to remove any foreign objects or debris. Runway friction tests are also conducted periodically.

Monsoon Preparations

Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) said that it completed runway maintenance activities last month ahead of monsoon.

“The scope of work included pavement maintenance, electrical checks across airfield ground lighting systems and substations, rubber removal, surface markings and largescale drain cleaning. Technical teams also inspected runway intersections, over 3,000 runway lights and critical cable networks supporting lighting, information technology and navigational systems to ensure uninterrupted performance,” MIAL said. 

Published on June 29, 2026