DGCA checks airlines before the US FAA safety review

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The Directorate General of Civil Aviation will start a final round of airline inspections this week. The US Federal Aviation Administration will then reassess India's aviation safety oversight from 16 to 20 November 2026.

DGCA is preparing answers, with evidence, to about 200 FAA questions. The check is of the regulator, not of one airline. The FAA looks at whether the country oversees airlines to ICAO safety standards. India currently holds Category 1.

Category 1 lets Indian airlines add flights to the United States and codeshare with US carriers. A Category 2 finding would not declare the aircraft unsafe, but it can block new US routes and bring tighter oversight. The civil aviation ministry says it expects India to keep Category 1. The review happens every five years.

DGCA will finish airline inspections this week. The US FAA then reassesses India's aviation safety oversight from 16 to 20 November 2026. About 200 questions go back with evidence. The review is of the regulator against ICAO standards, not a finding that any one aircraft is unsafe. India is in Category 1. That status lets Indian airlines add US routes and codeshare. Category 2 would not ground aircraft, but it can block new US routes and tighten oversight. The ministry expects India to keep Category 1. The reassessment comes every five years.