Turkish Airlines Found Violating Safety Norms at Indian Airports: DGCA Orders Immediate Action
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 5th May: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has flagged multiple safety violations by Turkish Airlines during surprise inspections conducted at four major Indian airports — Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Bengaluru — between May 29 and June 2.
In a statement released today, the Civil Aviation Ministry said the inspections were part of a global compliance check under Article 16 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation (ICAO). These checks focused on both passenger and cargo operations of Turkish Airlines.
One of the most serious violations occurred at Bengaluru airport, where an untrained marshaller without a mandatory ‘competency card’ was found guiding aircraft on the ground — a clear breach of aviation norms. At the same airport, an uncertified technician carried out aircraft arrival checks instead of a licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME). The authorised maintenance partner, Airworks, was also found absent at the time.
At multiple locations, cargo inspections revealed that Turkish Airlines was transporting dangerous goods, including explosives, without obtaining prior approval from the DGCA. Required documentation was either incomplete or missing, raising major safety concerns.
Ground operations further revealed lapses in oversight. Turkish Airlines had no formal Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with its ground handling partner, Globe Ground India, at both Hyderabad and Bengaluru airports. Equipment used on the ground — including ladders, trolleys, and power units — lacked proper records and traceability.
The DGCA has directed Turkish Airlines to take immediate corrective action and ensure full compliance with ICAO and DGCA safety regulations. The regulator also announced plans for further inspections to monitor adherence and safeguard passenger safety.
Separately, Turkish Airlines is facing backlash in India after Turkey backed Pakistan during India’s Operation Sindoor, escalating diplomatic tensions.
