India’s Civil Aviation Minister, Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, informed the Rajya Sabha that the country has a secure supply of aviation turbine fuel (ATF) for the next 60 days, alleviating concerns amidst the West Asia conflict. Naidu emphasized that India’s ATF reserves are currently sufficient, ensuring stability in fuel supply despite the ongoing oil crisis triggered by the conflict.
The minister highlighted India’s balanced production system for ATF, with a significant portion allocated for domestic use and the remainder exported. This strategic approach enables India to maintain ample stock levels, capable of meeting demand without any disruptions for at least the next two months.
In response to aviation safety queries, Naidu stated that the government has intensified monitoring and airline inspections. Emphasizing passenger safety as a top priority, he mentioned the increased frequency of audits and checks to uphold safety standards within the aviation sector.
Addressing concerns regarding emergency landings, Naidu assured that decisions in such scenarios prioritize safety requirements. Factors like aircraft type, weather conditions, and regulatory protocols are carefully evaluated before determining the landing approach to ensure passenger and crew well-being.
Naidu also highlighted safety measures taken post the Air India crash, mentioning the Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s directive to inspect the fuel control switch locking mechanism in Boeing aircraft. Following FAA guidelines, all airlines completed the necessary inspections, confirming the airworthiness of their aircraft for continued safe operations.
