The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has denied SpiceJet‘s claim that the UN body conducted an “exhaustive audit” of the airline and that its “operations, safety processes and systems are in order”.
In a message titled “Clarifications regarding ICAO mission to India” on Tuesday, December 13, ICAO’s spokesperson clarified that it visits various airlines when it conducts an audit of a country’s aviation safety oversight system and that “visits to operators are not audits or inspections at all”.
The ICAO’s audit of the Indian aviation safety oversight system—including areas such as primary aviation legislation, civil aviation organisation, personnel licensing, aircraft operations and air navigation services—was from November 9 to November 16.
The ICAO is a specialized agency which is a part of the United Nations that sets standards and regulations for civil aviation. It audits the aviation safety and aviation security oversight capacities of its member states.
On December 4, the civil aviation ministry said ICAO’s November audit has given “India’s aviation safety highest ever rank” of 48th position. Four years ago, ICAO’s audit had placed India at 102nd position.
SpiceJet, in a statement on December 5, said its “operations, safety processes and systems are in order following an exhaustive audit conducted by the ICAO”.
“The comprehensive audit by ICAO firmly establishes SpiceJet’s credentials as a safe airline. SpiceJet was the only scheduled Indian airline...
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